01/05/2026
🚫 Pulp Polyp (Chronic Hyperplastic Pulpitis): When the Pulp Fights Back 🦷🔥
A pulp polyp is a fascinating and often dramatic presentation of chronic hyperplastic pulpitis, typically seen in young patients with large, open carious lesions. Instead of necrosis, the pulp responds with an overgrowth of granulation tissue, forming a reddish, fleshy mass that may even protrude from the cavity.
🧠 Why does this happen?
The key lies in a well-vascularized pulp and an open cavity that allows pressure relief—preventing strangulation of the tissue and enabling proliferation rather than degeneration.
🔍 Clinical Features:
• Pink/red lobulated tissue emerging from the cavity
• Usually painless (surprisingly!)
• May bleed easily on touch
• Common in molars with extensive decay
⚠️ Important Insight:
Although it may look alarming, a pulp polyp indicates a vital pulp—but not a healthy one. Without treatment, the condition can progress and compromise the tooth.
🛠️ Management Options:
• Pulpotomy (in selected cases, especially in immature teeth)
• Root canal treatment
• Extraction (if the tooth is non-restorable)
💡 Early diagnosis and proper treatment planning are essential to preserve function and avoid complications.
