Pulpitis

Differential Diagnosis

Dentoalveolar Injuries

• Dental fracture
• Dental subluxation
• Dental avulsion
• Bleeding dental socket

Odontogenic Infections

• Acute alveolar osteitis (dry socket)
• Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (trench mouth)
• Dental abscess
  • Periapical abscess
  • Periodontal abscess
• Ludwig's angina
• Pulpitis (dental caries)
• Pericoronitis
• Peritonsillar abscess (PTA)
• Retropharyngeal abscess
• Vincent's angina - tonsillitis and pharyngitis

Other

• Scurvy
• Gingival hyperplasia
  • Phenytoin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Nifedipine, Amlodipine
  • Leukemia

Management

1. Two types:
   1. Reversible Pulpitis
      1. Duration of pain is short (seconds)
      2. Associated with noxious stimuli (cold or heat)
   2. Irreversible Pulpitis
      1. Duration of pain is long (hours) and intense
      2. Associated with noxious stimuli or may occur spontaneously
      3. Tx = root canal or extraction

Disposition

• Discharge

See Also

• Dental Problems