Endo Flashcards
(154 cards)
The pulp lacks ___ circulation, which severely limits its ability to cope with __, __ and ___.
Collateral
Bacteria
Necrotic tissue
Inflammation
The pulp possesses unique, hard tissue-secreting cells called ___ as well as ___ cells that can differentiate into ___ that form more dentin in an attempt to protect the pulp from injury.
Odontoblasts
Mesenchymal
Osteoblasts
The sensibility of the dental pulp is controlled by __ and ___ afferent nerve fibers.
A-delta
C
A-delta fibers are [large/small] myelinated nerves that enter the root canal and divide into smaller branches, coursing __ through the pulp. What kind of pain do they perceive?
Large
Coronally
Immediately perceived as quick, sharp, momentary pain, which dissipates quickly upon removal of the stimulus
The intimate association of A-delta fibers with the odontoblastic cell layer and dentin is referred to as the ___ complex
Pulpodentinal
In pulpitis (pulpal inflammation) the response is ___ and disproportionate to the challenging stimulus (aka: ___) This response is induced by the effects of ____ that are released in teh inflammed pulp.
Exaggerated
Disproportionate
hyperalgesia
Inflammatory mediators
Progression of pulpal inflammation can change the quality of pain response. As the exaggerated A-delta fiber pain subsides, pain ___ and is perceived as a ___. This second pain symptom is from __ fibers.
Seemingly remains
Dull, throbbing pain
C nerve
Describe C fibers
Small, unmyelinated nerves that course centrally in the pulp stroma
In contrast to A-delta fibers, they are not directly involved with the pulpodentinal complex and are not easily provoked.
When does C fiber pain surface?
With tissue injury and is mediated by inflammatory mediations, vascular changes in blood volume, and blood flow, and increases in tissue pressure.
When C fiber pain dominates, it signifies irreversible local tissue damage
True or false, with increasing inflammation of pulp tissues, C fiber pain becomes the only pain feature.
True
True or false… hot liquids or foods can increase intrapulpal pressure to levels that excite C fibers
True
The pain is diffuse and can be referred to a distant site or to other teeth
What happens with sustained inflammation?
It is detrimental to pulpal recovery, finally terminating in tissue necrosis.
Describe the signs/symptoms of a normal tooth.
Asymptomatic
Produces mild/moderate transient response to thermal or electrical stimuli that subsides almost immediately after removal of stimulus
No painful response to percussion or palpation
In reversible pulpitis, thermal stimuli causes what kind of a response?
Quick, sharp, hypersensitive response that subsides as soon as the stimulus is removed
What kind of irritant can affect the pulp and may cause reversible pulpitis?
Early caries or recurrent decay
Periodontal SRP
Deep restorations without a base
True or false… reversible pulpitis is a disease not a symptom
False, the opposite. It is a symptom, not a disease
If the irritant is removed, the pulp reverts back to an uninflammed state
If the irritant remains the symptoms may lead to irreversible pulpitis
What are the two ways reversible pulpitis (RP) can be clinically distinguished from a symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (IR)?
1) RP causes momentary painful response to thermal change that subsides as soon as stimulus is removed. IR causes painful response to thermal change that lingers after removal of stimulus.
2) RP does not involve complaint of spontaneous (unprovoked) pain.
What is the most frequent crossover point from RP to IP?
Frank penetration of bacteria into the pulp
True or false, symptomatic irreversible pulpitis may resolve if caries is removed.
False. By definition the pulp has been damaged beyond repair
What are microscopic findings of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP)?
1) Microabscesses of the pulp begin as tiny zones of necrosis within dense acute inflammatory cells
2) histologiclaly intact myelinated and unmyelinated nerves may be observed in areas with dense inflammation and cellular degeneration
What occurs following irreversible pulpitis?
Pulp death may occur quickly or may require years; it may be painful, or more frequently, asymptomatic. The end result is necrosis.
SIP is characterized by ___ pain
Spontaneous, unprovoked, intermittent or continuous
How do temperature changes affect a tooth with SIP?
Elicit prolonged episodes of pain that linger after the thermal stimulus is removed.
True or false. Radiographs are generally sufficient for diagnosing IP
False.