Pulp Diseases

The life or death of a tooth depends on the health of the pulp. This network of nerves, blood vessels, and tissues is housed in a hollow central chamber that extends from the crown of the tooth to its roots. The branch of dentistry that specializes in preventing and treating pulp problems is called en­do­dontics.

The pulp can be damaged in a number of ways. One of the most common is through undetected tooth de­­cay. Advanced periodontal disease can also infect the pulp. Pulp damage also occurs when a tooth is broken or knocked out. Abrasion and erosion can wear away the tooth’s hard outer layers, leaving the pulp vulnerable. Finally, the pulp may be in­jured when your dentist grinds a tooth in preparation for a

deep filling or restoration.
Pulp damage can be as either reversible or irreversible. It can range from mild tooth sensitivity to complete nerve death of the tooth to infection of the surrounding tissues.

There are several different pulp diseases, including:

Reversible pulpitis, or mild inflammation of the pulp. Symptoms typically include pain upon eating or drinking something very sweet, hot, or cold. Without treatment, the inflammation can progress to a dental abscess, a collection of bacteria and pus. Good oral health habits can help offset reversible pulpitis, but in many cases, a filling is eventually needed.

Irreversible pulpitis, or severe inflammation of the pulp that can't be cured. Symptoms include sudden intense pain. Left untreated, it can result in a widespread gum and connective tissue infection. Irreversible pulpitis is generally treated with a root canal procedure. If that doesn't work, your dentist may have to remove the tooth.

Dental pulp calcification (also known as dental pulp stones). This is a condition in which hardening, or calcification, of pulp tissue results in hypersensitivity and extreme pain because the dental nerves become compressed. A root canal is usually necessary to clear away hardened tissue.

Dental pulp exposure. This condition comes on when damage to the external covering of a tooth, such as a cavity or crack in the tooth, exposes the normally protected pulp to bacteria and irritating food particles.

Pain is the most frequent symptom and without proper dental care, a mild infection can progress into a serious abscess.

Depending on the type of pulp disease, symptoms may vary in intensity and can include:

· Pain in a tooth or teeth when you eat something very sweet, hot, or cold;

· Sudden, intense pain in the mouth;

· Infection in the mouth.

If pulp diseases aren't properly managed, you can lose your teeth.

Ex.11. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following word-combinations:

Кровоносні судини, галузь стоматології, запобігання хворобам пульпи, тверді зовнішні шари зуба, пошкодження пульпи, оточуючі тканини, запалення пульпи, раптовий біль, інфекція сполучної тканини, видалити зуб, затверділа тканина, частки їжі, гігієна ротової порожнини.

Ex.12. Answer the following questions:

1. How can the pulp be damaged? 2. What pulp diseases can you name? 3. What are the symptoms of reversible pulpitis? 4. What can untreated irreversible pulpitis result in? 5.Why does the patient experience extreme pain in case of dental pulp calcification? 6. What kind of condition is dental pulp exposure? 7. What symptoms of pulp diseases do you know? 8. What is the best way to prevent pulp diseases?

Ex.13. Insert the missing words:

1.Pulp damage can range from mild tooth _______ to complete nerve death of the tooth to infection of the _________ tissues. 2. The branch of ________ that specializes in preventing and treating pulp problems is called en­do­dontics. 3. Pain is the most ______ symptom of dental pulp exposure. 4. Advanced periodontal _______ can also infect the pulp. 5. The pulp may be injured when your dentist grinds a tooth in ________ for a deep filling or restoration. 6. Poor dental ________ is the main reason for tooth decay, tooth pain, and other oral healthconditions.

Ex.14. Write out key words of the text “Pulp diseases”.

Ex.15. Compose the detailed plan of the text “Pulp diseases”.

Ex.16. Retell the text “Pulp diseases” according to your plan.

Ex.17. Read and retell the following text: