Endodontology: understanding the science Flashcards
Define Endodontology
The form, function, health of, injuries to and diseases of the dental pulp
Define endodontics
prevention and treatment of endodontic infections
What is endodontics all about?
BACTERIA and minimising bacterial infection
How can trauma such as root fracture affect the pulp?
Can cause it to shrink as a defensive response (pulp shrinks and lays down secondary dentine)
How should you regard pulp enamel and dentine?
As dead enamel and live pulp-dentine complex
Give some functions of the pulp
- Develops the tooth
- Important in sensation
- Provides nutrition
- Defense
What is ‘loose’ connective tissue?
A connective tissue that doesn’t have many cells
What do 60% of molar teeth have in regards to their pulp chamber
60% of molar pulp chambers communicate with the periodontal ligament through the floor (furca)
Do all teeth have pulp chambers?
No only pre molars and molars have pulp chambers
Is mechanical cleaning of the tooth enough to clean root canals?
No you have to supplement it with a disinfectant (so you need to clean out root canals with bleach)
How does a pulp respond to dentinal infection/ irritation?
- Inflammation
- Recovery
- Lays down secondary dentine
- Arterio-venous shunts
- Necrosis (Pulp death)
What can increased inflammation of the pulp lead to and why?
Pain as there’s increased blood flow in an enclosed space
What ca untreated Pulpal inflammation lead to?
Pulpal necrosis (death)
How can the pulp get injured?
- Caries
- Dentists (Iatrogenic damage) due to preparations, restorations and scaling
- Trauma
- Loss of tooth substance through wear
- Periodontal disease
State the mean total number of bacteria in infected root canals?
10 million / ml of sample
