Pulpitis refers to the inflammation of the pulp tissue of your tooth. Your dental pulp supplies the tooth with nutrients and blood and when pulpitis develops, you will need to see an endodontist in Chicago as soon as possible. Here are the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for pulpitis.
Causes And Symptoms
Strong dental enamel helps protect your pulp from bacterial infections. When the enamel weakens or becomes thin because of acid erosion, bacteria can invade the pulp. This can cause inflammation, tooth and gum pain, pressure, referred pain to the nearby teeth, and infection. In advanced cases of pulpitis, purulent discharge, a bad taste in the mouth, fever, and chills can develop. In addition to acid erosion of the dental enamel, pulpitis can be caused by tooth decay, a broken tooth, and tooth grinding.
Treatments
Depending upon the extent of your pulpitis, your endodontist in Chicago may recommend removing the tooth decay and filling the cavity. You may also need to take oral antibiotics to eliminate the infection and to prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body. A pulpectomy may also be recommended to remove the pulp. After your dentist removes the pulp, the empty area of the tooth will be cleaned, filled with a protective material, and sealed. It some cases, the endodontist will recommend extracting the tooth if it cannot be salvaged by other treatments.
To learn more about pulpitis or to make an appointment with an endodontist in Chicago, call Dental Specialists of South Loop or visit our website.
