How
Can the Dental Pulp Get Damaged?
The dental pulp lies inside the tooth so
patients often wonder how the inside of their tooth can become damaged.
Pulp damage usually begins with tooth
decay. Poor oral health and hygiene can cause your tooth to decay which causes
a cavity to form in the enamel. It starts off with a build-up of plaque, then
holes in the enamel, and finally penetration into the dental pulp.
Dental infections can also spread to the
pulp which is one of the leading causes of pulp damage.
How
Does Dental Pump Damage Feel Like?
The symptoms appear before the final
damage to the nerves has been done. Deep pain and discomfort in the tooth are
the predominant signs of an impending dental pulp death.
Once the nerves have become damaged, you
won’t feel any sensation in the tooth at all. This means that the pain will go
away but so will any other sensations. On the contrary, you may feel more
pressure pain on the tooth during eating.
How
is Dental Pulp Damage Diagnosed?
Our endodontists will first perform a
comprehensive oral cavity examination to look for any signs of infection or
tooth decay.
Dental X-rays are a useful test to
establish the diagnosis of tooth decay and underlying pulp damage.
If there is still doubt, we make use of a
special tool called the electric pulp tester that sends tiny, safe current like
sensations to the tooth. If the sensations are felt, the pulp is still viable.
How
is A Diseased Dental Pulp Treated?
The standard treatment for diseased
dental pulp and tooth root is the
root
canal treatment. This can be done for anterior,
premolar and molar teeth.
Root canal treatment is a surgery where
the endodontist removes the dead or diseased tissue in the dental pulp chamber.
A warm fluid is then instilled and irrigated into the canal to thoroughly clean
it and get rid of the infection.
Then, a special filling (a rubber-like
material called the gutta percha) is applied into the canal.
Root canal treatment is done under local anesthesia,
so the procedure is safe and comfortable.
Typically, patients will require a second
appointment for a follow-up as well.