dental disorders
Pulpitis
Key Points
Pulpitis is inflammation of the dental pulp due to deep cavities, trauma, or extensive dental repair. Sometimes infection develops (eg, periapical abscess, cellulitis, osteomyelitis). Pulpitis may be reversible or irreversible. In reversible pulpitis, the pulp is not necrotic, a cold or sweet stimulus causes pain that typically lasts 1 or 2 seconds, and repair requires only drilling and filling. In irreversible pulpitis, the pulp is becoming necrotic, the stimulus (often heat) causes pain that typically lasts minutes, and root canal or extraction is needed. Pulpal necrosis is a later stage of irreversible pulpitis; the pulp does not respond to hot or cold but often responds to percussion, and root canal or extraction is needed. 