Pulp includes connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels. Pulp nourishes the tooth when it first emerges through the gum. Once the tooth matures, the pulp can be removed without destroying the tooth. That's because each tooth also is nourished by a blood supply in the gums.
Removing the pulp is called endodontic treatment, but it is often referred to as root canal treatment or root canal therapy. Root canal treatment is needed for two main reasons. The first is infection. The infection is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and invade the tooth when:
This process continues as there is nothing to stop more bacteria passing down the root canal, which causes the tissues around the end of the tooth to become red and swollen. This can cause your tooth to become painful and, in extreme circumstances, your face may become swollen (dental abscess). The reduced blood supply also keeps the pulp from healing. Antibiotics can’t get to infections inside teeth.
When the pulp is inflamed but not infected, it may heal on its own. Your dentist may want see if this will happen before doing root canal treatment. To treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed. In root canal treatment, the bacteria are removed from inside the root canal system, the root canal is filled and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown. In most cases, the inflamed tissue at the end of the tooth will heal naturally.
Removing the pulp is called endodontic treatment, but it is often referred to as root canal treatment or root canal therapy. Root canal treatment is needed for two main reasons. The first is infection. The infection is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth and invade the tooth when:
- tooth decay occurs
- fillings leak
- teeth are damaged by trauma, such as a fall , but sometimes common dental procedures, such as preparing the tooth for a crown, can hurt the pulp.
This process continues as there is nothing to stop more bacteria passing down the root canal, which causes the tissues around the end of the tooth to become red and swollen. This can cause your tooth to become painful and, in extreme circumstances, your face may become swollen (dental abscess). The reduced blood supply also keeps the pulp from healing. Antibiotics can’t get to infections inside teeth.
When the pulp is inflamed but not infected, it may heal on its own. Your dentist may want see if this will happen before doing root canal treatment. To treat the infection in the root canal, the bacteria need to be removed. In root canal treatment, the bacteria are removed from inside the root canal system, the root canal is filled and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown. In most cases, the inflamed tissue at the end of the tooth will heal naturally.
The only alternative to a root canal procedure is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. Having root canal treatment on a tooth does not mean that the tooth will need to be pulled out in a few years. Once a tooth is treated, it can last the rest of your life.
If you have an infection of the pulp, you may not feel any pain at first. But if it is not treated, the infection will cause pain and swelling. In some cases, an abscess will form.
If you have an infection of the pulp, you may not feel any pain at first. But if it is not treated, the infection will cause pain and swelling. In some cases, an abscess will form.
Your tooth might need a root canal if:
- It hurts when you bite down on it, touch it or push on it
- It is sensitive to heat
- It is sensitive to cold for more than a couple of seconds
- There is swelling near the tooth
- It is discolored (whether it hurts or not)
- It is broken
steps
1. First, your dentist will numb the area of the tooth.
2. He or she will make a hole in the top or back of your tooth to get to the pulp chamber.
3. Then some of the pulp is removed and root canals have to be measured. In this step, x-rays or an apex locator is used.
4. After measuring, special tools are used to clean the rest of the disased pulp and canals are cleaned with antiseptic.
5. A temporary filling is placed but soon the tooth have to be covered with a filling or a crown.
6. Root canal treatment is no more painful than having a filling placed.
2. He or she will make a hole in the top or back of your tooth to get to the pulp chamber.
3. Then some of the pulp is removed and root canals have to be measured. In this step, x-rays or an apex locator is used.
4. After measuring, special tools are used to clean the rest of the disased pulp and canals are cleaned with antiseptic.
5. A temporary filling is placed but soon the tooth have to be covered with a filling or a crown.
6. Root canal treatment is no more painful than having a filling placed.