Chicago Dentist - The Pain of Injury to the Pulp

The Pain of Injury to the Pulp

The typical first sign of injury to the pulp that drives someone to the dentist is pain. A conservative estimate on all dental pain is 90% endodontic related. Often times, the pulp can be diseased or dead with no pain resulting. Many people are surprised when their dentist, after a routine dental exam, advised that they need a root canal.

When a patient complains about pain, the dentist will listen carefully as you describe the pain, the location and the duration of pain. Often, it is difficult to specify the source of the pain. The pain may be spread over to several teeth. The amount of pain is also described differently be different people. Sometimes the pain is felt occasionally while with others, it is felt constantly.

How long the pain lingers is an indication that the pulp is involved. In general, a tooth that is painful when it is exposed to heat or when you chew or change the position of your head usually required endodontic therapy. When the inflammation has extended to the periapical area, the pain can become so intense that it can awaken you, keep you from sleeping, and evolve into a fever and even nausea.

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