Pulpitis

Pulpitis is defined as inflammation of the pulpal tissues. It can occur when decay is left untreated or if there is an insult or injury to the tooth. In either case, the tooth exhibits some sort of tooth sensitivity.

There are two types of pulpitis:

1. Reversible pulpitis- this is when a tooth experiences sensitivity that decreases over time. An example is when a patient gets a filling and the tooth is post-treatment sensitive. Over time, this sensitivity decreases and the tooth goes back to normal. Another example of reversible pulpitis occurs when a patient has a cavity and the tooth becomes sensitive to various things. This sensitivity causes the pulp to be inflamed and can be reversed if and when the tooth is restored..
2. Irreversible pulpitis- with these cases, the tooth sensitivity does not decrease over time. An example is when the patient tells you that the tooth is still sensitive months after the tooth was treated. In addition, the sensitivity increases over time.

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