Root Canal Treatment

In the past you would probably lose a tooth if the tooth had a diseased or injured nerve.      Today           you may save that tooth with a special dental procedure called root canal therapy. Inside the hard outer shell of each tooth is a specialized area called the pulp or nerve chamber. The pulp chamber contains a system of blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves, the pulp which enter from the bone through the root canals. The system provides nourishment for the cells within the tooth. Root canals are very small, thin divisions that branch off from the top pulp chamber down to the tip of the root. A tooth has at least one but no more than four root canals. The pulp tissue dies when the pulp is decayed or injured. If you don't remove this pulp tissue, your tooth will get infected and you could lose it.

In a root canal or endodontic treatment, the dentist removes the damaged or infected pulp and replaces it with special filler which helps maintain the remaining tooth structure. A root canal is usually a simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits to a dentist. Most patients report that having root canal treatment today is as unremarkable as getting a filling. The best news is that it can save your tooth and your smile! Why do I need root canal treatment? The simple answer is because your tooth will not heal by itself. The infection will spread without treatment. The bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate and the tooth may fall out. Pain usually worsens until you are forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly resulting in a bad bite. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal treatment. If you have the choice, it's always best to keep your original teeth. What causes pulp nerve damage? There are two common causes of pulp nerve damage. Physical irritation is generally brought on by aggressive tooth decay reaching down to the nerve or through deep fillings which allows harmful bacteria to reach the nerve resulting in infection and decay. Receiving a blow to a tooth can also cause damage to sensitive nerve tissue within the tooth. What are the symptoms of pulp nerve damage? There are several common symptoms of pulp nerve damage. Each individual may experience the symptoms differently. These symptoms may include: • Spontaneous or throbbing pain in the tooth when biting down • tooth pain while chewing • sensitivity to hot and cold foods • facial swelling due to an abscess or infection in the bone Why do I feel pain? Pulp can die when it becomes infected due to a deep cavity or fracture as it allows bacteria to seep in. Pulp can also die because of injury due to trauma. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and cellular activity and pressure cannot be relieved from inside the tooth. Pain in the tooth is commonly felt when biting down, chewing on it and applying hot or cold foods and drinks. What happens if the pulp gets injured? The pulp dies when it is diseased or injured and can't repair itself. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems can let bacteria enter the pulp. Germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. Pus builds up at the root tip in the jawbone when not treated .