Treatment of pulpitis and periodontitis

What You Should Know About Pulpitis and Periodontitis

• Pulpitis is inflammation of the dental pulp (the nerve and blood vessels inside the tooth).
• Periodontitis is inflammation of the tissues around the tooth — the periodontium.
• Both conditions most commonly develop as a complication of untreated tooth decay.
• In its early stages, pulpitis may be reversible; in advanced stages, the nerve cannot be preserved.
• Periodontitis leads to bone loss, tooth mobility and can negatively impact overall health.
• If left untreated, pulpitis often progresses into periodontitis.
• Modern dentistry allows both conditions to be treated effectively and painlessly.

Causes

While tooth decay is the most typical trigger, several other factors may contribute:

• trauma or cracks in the tooth,
• erosion and excessive enamel wear,
• poorly fitted fillings or crowns,
• chemical or thermal irritation of the pulp,
• retrograde pulpitis — infection entering the tooth via the bloodstream.

Symptoms

Pulpitis

• sharp or dull episodes of pain, often worse at night,
• pronounced sensitivity to heat and cold,
• pain that persists even after the stimulus is removed.

Periodontitis

• bleeding and inflamed gums,
• bad breath,
• tooth mobility,
• pus discharge (“gum boil”),
• pain when biting or chewing,
• in advanced stages — facial swelling and fever.

Difference Between Pulpitis and Periodontitis

• Pulpitis = inflammation inside the tooth; periodontitis = inflammation around the tooth.
• Pulpitis typically causes sharper, more intense pain, while periodontitis causes pressure and discomfort.
• Teeth affected by pulpitis remain firm; teeth affected by periodontitis may become mobile.

Treatment of Pulpitis and Periodontitis

Reversible Pulpitis

Treatment consists of removing the decay and restoring the tooth with a filling.

Irreversible Pulpitis

Requires endodontic (root canal) therapy:

• removal of the dental pulp,
• cleaning and shaping of the root canals,
• disinfection,
• hermetic sealing of the canals and restoring the tooth (often with a crown).

Periodontitis Treatment

• root canal therapy under magnification (sometimes over several visits),
• in severe cases — surgical treatment: removal of pus, cleaning infected tissues, drainage, and gum correction.

Prevention

• timely treatment of cavities,
• professional dental cleaning at least once a year,
• consistent oral hygiene (toothbrush, floss, mouthwash),
• avoiding dental trauma and very hard foods,
• regular check-ups with your dentist (minimum once per year).