Managing the vital pulp in operative dentistry Flashcards
Primary role of pulp?
Development of the tooth
Role of the pulp throughout life?
Maintains important sensory/defensive/reparative functions throughout life
Benefits of pain from exposed dentine and pulp inflammation?
Alert to injury
avoidance of chewing while repair takes place (tertiary/peritubular dentine depositon)
Other than sensory role what do nerves in the pulp regulate?
Cellular activity and repair e.g. helps cellular system respond e.g. tertiary/peritubular deposition
Function of mechanoreception in the pulp?
Regulation of chewing forces
What problems surround mechanoreception in non-viable pulp?
No mechanoreception in non-viable pulp so can put more force on it allowing cracks to propagate and fracture - tooth becomes non-viable
List defensive functions of tubular fluid
Dentine is wet because dentinal tubules filled with fluid
Hydration/nutrition of dentine
Fluid outflow to dilute insults
Fluid thickening (ILA) to reduce entry irritants
Defensive functions of wet dentine?
Makes dentine more resilient and tough
Defensive functions of hydration/nutrition of dentine?
More resilient, less likely to crack
Defensive functions of fluid outflow to dilute insults?
Exposing dentinal tubules, plural fluid is always flowing to the surface this stops microbes getting into the pulp and dilutes any microbial toxins trying to get into pulp
Defensive functions of fluid thickening (IgA) to reduce entry irritants?
Accumulation of IgA in the tubules makes the fluid thicker and makes it harder for microorganisms making their way to the pulp
List cellular defences of the pulp
Odontoblasts –> making peritubular, tertiary
Inflammatory cells –> stops microorganisms getting into the pulp by mounting defences against them
How are injured pulps preserved?
Pulp capping, pulpotomy and root canal treatment
Goal of dental professional?
Prevent dental disease, pulp injury and breakdown.
Do as little harm as possible with our treatments so that you can preserve as many teeth with viable pulps
Consequences of pulp breakdown?
Pain Swelling Sepsis Distress Costly e.g. root canal treatment or protective coronal restoration
How are the consequences of pulp breakdown avoided?
Managing treatment early
In regards to the dentine and pulp, what is it important to remember when treating either tissue?
They are intimately related. Odontoblast line the pulp chamber underneath the dentine. If you expose dentine remember the vital structures are connected
What protects the healthy pulp?
Intact enamel
Sound investing periodontium
How can protective barrier of the pulp be broken down?
Caries - crown preperation
Dental procedure (iatrogenic)
Trauma
What makes the pulp vulnerable to injury?
Open tubules
The more tubules you open, the greater/lower potential fro pulp injury?
Greater
Shallower, narrower/deeper, wider preparation increases/decreases danger and risks direct pulp exposure because near the pulp chamber the tubules are further away/closer?
Deeper, wider
Increases
Closer
How much of the dentine must remain for the threats to pulp to be more serious?
0.5mm
Name 3 types of plural irritants
Physical - eating
Chemical - material used on dentine
Microbial - most serious
Describe early carious lesion?
Enamel breached, opening dentinal tubules
How vulnerable is the pulp in an early carious lesion?
Vulnerable but not greatly
Sensitivity of teeth with early carious lesion? Why?
Sensitive to hot/cold/sweet stimulation because dentinal tubules are open so there is fluid change up and down the tubes (hydrodynamic fluid movement) - stimulating A delta fibres