Pulp Polyp Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Pulp polyps, or chronic hyperplastic pulpitis, is a condition in which there is years-long inflammation of the pulp. The pulp itself is the central part of the tooth which contains the tissues and cells that make up the tooth.
Inflammation that causes pulp polyps occurs due to irritation and bacterial infection of the pulp. This is generally caused by damage to the crown of the tooth, for example due to cavities. Exposure to bacteria and various substances present in the oral cavity and causing inflammation triggers tissue growth and forms polyps.
Pulp polyps are most common in the lower molars, young adults. In addition, pulp polyps also occur in milk molars. Children generally have a low pain threshold, so they don’t feel toothache easily.
Usually, when children complain of toothache, the condition of the teeth has deep cavities and even reaches the nerves. That is why pulp polyps are so common in children.
Pulp polyps can usually be caught earlier if you are diligent in having regular dental checkups, at least once every six months.
Symptoms
Patients with pulp polyps will usually feel pain and discomfort when chewing or having food touch the part where the polyps are. In pulp polyps, the teeth don’t shake and don’t feel painful when they come into contact.
Other symptoms that can be recognized in Pulp Polyp sufferers are:
- There is a soft lump that can be seen from the tooth cavity. The bumps are usually pink or reddish in color.
- It is easy for polyps to bleed when they are touched by the hand or exposed to a foreign object, such as a toothbrush. This can cause open sores.
- The area around where the polyp is located will usually feel hard, swollen, and painful. Usually, the cheeks and mouth near where the polyp is located can experience this condition.
Reason
Pulp polyps occur due to years of inflammation and infection as a result of various conditions. Some of them are:
- Dental caries. This condition causes a lot of tooth structures to be lost, especially the tooth enamel.
- Injuries that result in damage to the teeth, such as fractures.
- Hypersensitivity reactions to teeth.
- Cavities or an open tooth cavity. This condition can expose the tooth tissue in the dental cavity to bacteria.
- The influence of hormones, especially the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Diagnosis
The process of determining the diagnosis of pulp polyps can be done through a series of medical interviews and dental examinations directly by the dentist. To confirm the diagnosis, the dentist may also recommend further examinations.
Some follow-up checks that can help include:
- X-ray photo. X-ray imaging can be done on the mouth and teeth. Through this examination, the doctor can determine the diagnosis and assess the severity of tooth decay. So is the area around it.
- Histological examination. This examination is done by taking a sample of polyp tissue to be examined in the laboratory. Through this examination, signs of inflammation in the tissues and abnormalities in the tissues can also be identified.
Treatment
Treatment of pulp polyps begins with the administration of painkillers and antibiotics. The goal is to eliminate the causative factors. In addition, there are several actions that can be taken to further treat this condition, namely:
- Surgery. This procedure is performed to remove the polyps or growing flesh. Surgery to remove polyps as a whole is done by removing the teeth affected by the polyps. To replace an extracted tooth, after a successful surgical procedure, the doctor can install dentures.
- Pulpotomy. This procedure is done by cutting the polyps without removing the teeth where the polyps are. In polyps that have developed for a long time, the damage to the teeth containing the polyps cannot be completely repaired even though a successful pulpotomy is performed.
- Dental care. When the polyp tissue is removed, large amounts of bleeding will generally occur. However, this condition can be stopped by applying pressure to the tooth. Dental care is also done by installing a tooth enamel barrier. In addition, it is also necessary to add dental resin to prevent pulp polyps from developing again.
Pulp polyp treatment really requires discipline from the sufferer. Because, even though the polyp has been successfully removed, the patient still has to go for regular dental check-ups to the dentist. The aim is to monitor the progress of treatment and the possibility of the pulp polyp developing again.