Causes for pulpal diseases
A pulpal disease is usually caused by a small carious defect in the enamel, spreading into the dentin. The tooth now reacts sensitively to hot, cold or sweet. The reason is the many small canals in the dentin, which house the pulpal nerve ends. This fine tissue consisting of blood vessels and nerve fibres to supply the tooth is connected with the blood vessel and nervous system of the body via the foramen apicale.
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As long as the caries has not reached the pulpa, the created damage can be repaired and so-called tertiary dentin is allowed to form. However, should the bacteria penetrate to the pulpa, it becomes infected and results in a pulpitis.
Pulpal disease may be caused by the following factors:
- Microbial (e.g., through deep caries)
- Traumatic (e.g., through an accident)
- Chemical (e.g., through dental materials)
- Thermal (e.g., through preparation heat)
- Physical (e.g., through dentin drying)