Root Canal Treatment
Your teeth have a core of blood vessels and nerves at their centre. This living tissue is called the pulp and it's in a space called the root canal. The number of root canals a tooth has varies, depending on how far back the tooth is in your mouth. Your front teeth often have just one root canal, whereas your back teeth may have three or more.
If your tooth's pulp becomes damaged, the blood vessels may die. This results in a 'dead' tooth, which is more likely to get infected because it's no longer protected by your immune system (the system that defends your body against infection and other harmful substances).
There are a number of ways that your tooth's pulp can be damaged. These include:
All of these conditions can lead to bacteria getting trapped in your teeth. There is then the possibility that your tooth pulp will become infected, causing blood vessels and nerves to die.
Without treatment, a collection of pus (an abscess) can form at the root tip. This can lead to pain and swelling and may cause damage to the bone around your tooth.
The aim of root canal treatment is to get rid of the damaged pulp and the bacteria that are causing the infection. It involves removing inflamed or dead nerves and blood vessels from the centre of your tooth. This is done by drilling a hole through the top of your tooth to the root canal and removing the dead tissue. The empty root canal system is then cleaned, filled and a permanent seal is put over the top of your tooth.
If you would like more information on root canal treatment please contact us.
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