Arsenic periodontitis

Arsenic anhydride, arsenous acid (Acidum arsenicosum As203) is used in dentistry to treat inflamed pulp. It is a sympathicotropic poison that affects the smallest blood vessels, they rupture, as a result - the nutrition of the pulp tissue is disrupted and it becomes necrotic. Arsenic periodontitis is a consequence of incorrect treatment of acute pulpitis. Causes of drug-induced periodontitis:

• Overdose of arsenic anhydride when introduced into the pulp.
• Failure to observe the prescribed time for the medicine to remain in the dental cavity (more than 2 days), which is not always the doctor's fault. Often, patients forget to visit the dentist on time, and sometimes do not come at all for further treatment, since the main reason for visiting the dentist - pain, subsides.

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Symptoms of arsenic periodontitis

Usually, the symptoms appear during the treatment process and are noticed not only by the patient, but also by an experienced doctor. In addition to the fact that local inflammation develops in the periodontal tissues, signs of mucosal burns are noticeable, especially if this type of periodontitis is localized at the edges (marginal periodontitis). The apical form provokes the following symptoms:

• Constant aching pain in the area of the diseased tooth. The pain is not intense, even.
• The pain intensifies significantly when pressing on the sore tooth or when biting hard food.
• The patient experiences a subjective sensation of an enlarged tooth.
• The tooth is loose.
• In the case of a burn, when acid gets on the mucous membranes, the gums may become hyperemic in the area of the tooth being treated.

The symptoms of arsenic periodontitis are non-specific, so they are differentiated from manifestations of other types of periodontal inflammation. The patient is required to pay close attention to any manifestations in the oral cavity during the treatment of pulpitis, since the drug-induced form of periodontitis is best stopped at the very beginning, before complications develop.

How is periodontitis caused by arsenous acid treated?

First of all, the cause of periodontal inflammation is neutralized, that is, the paste or turunda with the drug is removed, an antidote is administered, and anesthesia is administered. Then the exudate is drained, for this purpose the already necrotic pulp is extirpated (removed), the canals are opened and cleaned, and antibacterial agents are often administered into them. After all measures have been taken to sanitize the inflamed areas, the tooth is sealed.