Overview
Exposure of tooth pulp refers to damage or irritation of the dental pulp, often due to deep caries, trauma, or iatrogenic causes, necessitating prompt clinical intervention to prevent complications such as pulp necrosis and periapical infections.Diagnosis
Clinical signs include tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli.
Radiographic examination to assess for periapical pathology or root canal patency.
Electric pulp test or vitality tests to evaluate pulp vitality 1.Management
Root Canal Therapy: Primary treatment involving cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal system 1.
Antibiotics: Considered if there is evidence of acute infection or systemic involvement, though local measures are often sufficient 1.
Pulpotomy/Pulpectomy: For immature teeth, these procedures aim to preserve tooth structure and vitality 1.Special Populations
Pediatrics: Special considerations for managing pulp exposure in primary teeth versus permanent teeth, emphasizing preservation of developing permanent successors 1.
Elderly: Increased risk of complications due to comorbidities; careful assessment and management of systemic health impacts on dental procedures 1.Key Recommendations
Perform thorough clinical and radiographic evaluations to diagnose pulp exposure accurately (Evidence: Moderate 1).
Prioritize root canal therapy as the primary treatment modality for exposed tooth pulp to prevent complications (Evidence: Moderate 1).
Consider antibiotic therapy selectively in cases with signs of acute infection, balancing local and systemic treatment approaches (Evidence: Weak 1).References
1 Smeulders J, da Silva EH, Struelens L, Vanhavere F, De Mey J, Martin CJ et al.. CORRELATION BETWEEN ROUTINE PERSONAL DOSIMETRY READING AND THE DOSE TO THE BRAIN OF INTERVENTIONAL STAFF. Radiation protection dosimetry 2022. link
2 Covens P, Dabin J, De Troyer O, Dragusin O, Maushagen J, Struelens L. Track, calculate and optimise eye lens doses of interventional cardiologists using mEyeDose and mEyeDose_X. Journal of radiological protection : official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection 2018. link