Endodontics

A tooth is comprised of the enamel outer shell, the dentine (the root material) and the living part of the tooth. The latter is often referred to as the pulp or the nerve of the tooth. In reality the central part of the living tooth is made up of blood vessels and nerves... the flesh of the tooth.

When this living tissue is irritated by decay and bacteria, or by the proximity of a deep filling, or indeed by trauma or chronic overload, it may become inflamed. Like any living tissue when irritated the inflammation is to try and protect the living tissue and is the body's natural defence mechanism to try and combat the irritation.

Unfortunately the pulp chamber of the tooth is enclosed and cannot react as would other parts of the body and the resulting increased pressure inside your tooth makes your tooth "throb" as your pulse pressure fluctuates and causes intense sensitivity to hot and cold. The eventual result is that the blood supply to the living tissue is restricted and the latter slowly dies.

This dead tissue eventually leaks through the tip of the root and the bone around the tip of the root becomes infected.

At this point you may develop an abscess or cyst at the tip of the root and can present a swollen face, increased temperature and increased discomfort.

When your dentist identifies that your tooth is dead or dying you have the option to try and save the tooth with root canal treatment or extract it.