At The Root Of It All
The pulp chamber houses the root canal system and pulp — the living tissue that keeps your tooth vital (alive). The pulp includes blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues. During childhood, the pulp creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth.
Causes of Root Canal Treatment
- • Deep tooth decay
- • Repeated dental procedures on one tooth
- • Traumatic damage such as a crack, chip or root fracture
- • Gum disease can also give rise to root canal problems
Pulpal Damage Process
Deep decay, repeated procedures or trauma can result in acute inflammation of the pulp. This causes swelling and pressure inside the tooth with nowhere to go, which leads to tooth pain and irreversible damage to the pulp.
Once the pulp dies, the pain may subside initially. However, this can return as an acute (painful) infection spreading into the periapical tissues. It can also become a chronic (long-standing) infection with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Whatever the cause, root canal treatment is necessary to save the tooth.
Diagnosis Process
A thorough history and examination is needed. A radiographic picture (x-ray) of the tooth or area is required to diagnose the condition of the tooth.