The periodontium in the area of the tooth root may have a small round formation, indicating limited inflammation. This is called a dental granuloma. Under unfavorable factors, the dental granuloma becomes aggravated and bright symptoms of the inflammatory process develop. Why does a dental granuloma form and how does it manifest itself? What methods are used to treat her, read on estet-portal.com.
What is a dental granuloma? Causes of granuloma
Dental granuloma is often localized to the apex of the tooth, but may vary in location. There is a latent course of a tooth granuloma, which carries a danger due to the inability to diagnose and treat the process in time. Therefore, in most cases, a granuloma is diagnosed in advanced stages, when it causes a lot of problems for a person.
Causes of granuloma development
Granuloma is a complication of pulpitis and develops against the background of the spread of an infectious process from an inflamed nerve that runs in the root of the tooth. Also, a granuloma can form against the background of inflammation of the surrounding tissues, that is, with periodontitis. The development of granulomas can contribute to inflammatory diseases after trauma to the tooth or a fracture of the tooth. Infection can occur if aseptic and antiseptic rules are not followed during dental procedures.
What symptoms would indicate the development of a dental granuloma?
Dental granuloma is an inflammatory formation that has a thin wall. Dead cells as a result of pathological processes are eventually replaced by granulation tissue. This explains the gradual increase in size of the granuloma.
At the same time, when the dental granuloma does not reach a very large size, it does not make itself felt to the patient and is invisible to the dentist. Often, a dental granuloma is suddenly detected during a dental x-ray or orthopantomogram. When the granuloma increases in size, it immediately becomes noticeable swelling and pain in the gums.
When suppurating granuloma, in addition to redness and swelling of the gums, patients feel acute toothache. During this process, the tooth begins to darken. There may be purulent discharge that appears between the tooth and gum.
The development of a purulent process in a dental granuloma can provoke odontogenic periostitis, which is also called flux. This is manifested by the general malaise of the patient, fever and headache.
A dental granuloma with a long asymptomatic course can degenerate into a jaw cyst. Then the granuloma is delimited from the surrounding tissues, and a dense capsule is formed. Inside are dead bacteria and necrotic masses.
Tooth granuloma is dangerous not only for the oral cavity
Dental granuloma growth can destroy the root of the tooth at its apex, which can lead to tooth loss. With the spread of the inflammatory process, an abscess can form from the granuloma, which is called the maxillary abscess. A widespread purulent lesion in the oral cavity (phlegmon) may also form. Bone tissue may be involved in the process with subsequent development of osteomyelitis.
Tooth granuloma is a chronic process with a focus of infection present, which is a danger not only to the oral cavity, but also to other organs and systems. So, it is possible to develop pyelonephritis, sinusitis, sepsis, infectious myocarditis, which are caused by an infection brought by the hematogenous route from the granuloma of the tooth.
Oral examinations to diagnose granuloma
When examining a dentist, it is very difficult to identify a granuloma, especially if it is small in size and there are no manifestations from the side of the gums. The presence of a granuloma can be suspected in the presence of typical complaints and / or external manifestations in the oral cavity, which indicate the growth of the granuloma or its suppuration.
A reliable method for diagnosing a granuloma of a tooth is an x-ray of the dentition, on which you can see a rounded area of blackout. You can also diagnose granulomas using radiovisiography.
Methods of treatment and prevention of dental granuloma
Treatment of dental granuloma is possible with conservative and surgical methods. The choice of the method of therapy is formed on the basis of assessing the size of the granuloma, the presence of suppuration, the state of the tissues around the tooth. At the same time, it is not always possible to save it during the treatment of a tooth granuloma.
Conservative treatments for granulomas include filling the granuloma cavity with filling materials that are inserted into the root canal. A course of antibiotic therapy is required to eliminate the infection.
Surgical methods of treating granulomas previously consisted only of tooth extraction. Today, resections of the apex of the tooth and hemisection of the tooth are possible. In the event of odontogenic periostitis or maxillary abscess, an opening and drainage is performed.
In the presence of a vertical root crack, large root perforations, with obstruction of the root canals, severe tooth decay, it is impossible to save the tooth.
Preventive measures for granuloma include regular dental check-ups and proper regular oral care. With discomfort, pain, swelling and redness, do not postpone a visit to the dentist.
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