Pain Of Dental Origin Flashcards
Why is pain considered an unreliable indicator of the state of the pulp?
There is poor correlation between the degree of tissue destruction (pathology) and the presence or absence of pain (symptomatology).
What is the axonal reflex in dental pain?
Nerve activation from one tooth may result in neurogenic inflammation in adjacent teeth innervated by the same axon, leading to poor localization of pain.
How many nerve fibers approximately enter each root apical foramen?
Approximately 2,000 nerve fibers.
What percentage of nerve fibers in the pulp are unmyelinated?
About 80%.
What is the hydrodynamic theory of dentin sensitivity?
It suggests that fluid movement within dentinal tubules stimulates nerve fibers, leading to pain sensation.
What are the characteristics of pulpal inflammation?
Vasodilation, circulatory stasis, hemorrhage, edema, lymphocyte infiltration, macrophage mobilization, microabscess formation, and localized liquefaction necrosis.
What happens in an inflamed pulp?
The odontoblastic layer is absent, and blood vessels are dilated.
What leads to the development of a dental abscess?
Continued accumulation of inflammatory cells, resulting in abscess formation in the periapical area.
What is Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS)?
A momentary, sharp pain upon biting due to an incomplete crack in the dentin, which allows micromovement and pulpal stimulation.
What is barodontalgia?
Dental pain triggered by barometric pressure changes, leading to increased intrapulpal pressure due to gas bubble formation and expansion in inflamed pulpal tissues.
What are common situations that cause barodontalgia?
Air travel, hyperbaric treatment, and submersion (e.g., submarine service).
What is referred pain in dental pathology?
Pain perceived in a different region than its origin due to nerve convergence before reaching the brain.
Where is pain from a mandibular molar often referred?
Ear, posterior border of the ramus, or inferior border of the mandible.
Where is pain from a maxillary molar often referred?
Temporal region or mandibular arch.
What are the different types of nerve fibers in dental pain perception?
Aβ, Aδ-f, Aδ-s, and C fibers, with C fibers being nociceptive and sympathetic.
