The Warning Signs of Pulpal Insult

As patients gain a better understanding of rejuvenative and reconstructive dentistry, our diagnostic skill set will need to expand to anticipate unexpected problems. Conceptually, there is little difference between appreciating that a poor diet and lack of exercise causes atherosclerotic problems and the fact that restorative insult and resultant degenerative pulpal pathosis can exist in the absence of symptoms. The description “stressed pulp” carries with it a biologic understanding of the daily insults and iatrogenic vectors visited upon our dentition throughout a lifetime.