Summary:
Purpose: was to study the influence of periodontal disease on the dental pulp
Materials/Methods:
This study consists of two
parts:
Part I: Survey Series
–
N= 106 caries-free teeth from 26 patients (19 to 70 years of age)
– Extraction due to severe periodontitis
– Teeth divided, into four groups according to severity of periodontal disease; determined by amount of root exposed in RG
– Teeth were examined histologically
Part II: Paired Control Series
– N= 22 teeth from four patients, (39 to 50 years of age)
– Teeth free of caries and unfilled
–15 teeth with periodontal involvement divided into four groups (as part I) –7 teeth (controls): normal periodontium clinically and RG (from the other side of arch or opposite jaw)
-Teeth x-rayed, then extracted, and prepared for histology
Most highlighted Results:
•None of teeth examined showed normal pulp
•Morphologic changes observed in the pulps were classified as mild, moderate, severe, and very severe.
•The changes in the pulp were more in very severe > mild
1.Odontoblasts replaced in many areas by vacuoles
2.Less cells number and appearance
3.Pulpal degeneration
4.Pulpal chamber & parts of root canal fibrosis filled with calcified masses 5.Hyperemia was prominent
Conclusion:
•In first survey series no relationship observed between amount of exposed root (severity of periodontitis) and changes in pulp
•In second part it was found that:
Normal periodontium teeth showed same pulpal changes that were found in periodontally involved teeth
•This study in both parts indicates that morphologic changes in pulp are not related to changes in its periodontium.
