Pulpahäiriö

Pulpahäiriö is a Finnish term that translates to "pulp disorder" or "pulp disturbance." It refers to a condition affecting the pulp, the innermost part of a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This condition can arise from various dental issues, most commonly deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth.

When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, it can lead to significant pain, sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, and even swelling. The inflammation, known as pulpitis, can be reversible or irreversible. Reversible pulpitis typically presents as sharp, short-lived pain, often triggered by stimuli like cold. Irreversible pulpitis is more severe, with persistent, throbbing pain that may be spontaneous and can worsen at night.

If left untreated, pulpahäiriö can progress to pulp necrosis, where the pulp tissue dies. This can result in the formation of an abscess, a pocket of pus at the root tip of the tooth, which can cause swelling, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth. The treatment for pulpahäiriö depends on the severity of the condition. For reversible pulpitis, removing the irritant (e.g., decay) and placing a filling may be sufficient. For irreversible pulpitis or necrosis, root canal treatment is usually necessary to remove the infected pulp tissue, disinfect the canals, and seal them. In cases of severe damage or infection where root canal treatment is not feasible, tooth extraction might be the only option.