A Look into The Pulp of a Tooth and Why It May Require Endodontic Therapy

It can be a challenge to find a dentist near you who performs the oral surgery themselves for endodontic treatments. When you have a tooth that is throbbing and in pain, going to a dentist just to be referred to another for the actual surgical treatment means you are in pain longer. For patients seeking oral surgery in the Sunnyvale, California area, Derek H. Tang, DDS & Todd S. Adams DDS is your best option. Drs. Adams and Derek provide endodontic therapy, also known as a root canal, to their patients. This invasive procedure is necessary when the dental pulp inside a tooth becomes infected and needs to be removed. Let’s learn about the tooth’s pulp and why it may become infected.

What is the Pulp?

The pulp of your tooth is located at its core. It is a gelatinous substance and consists of the tooth’s nerves, arteries, and veins. It is, essentially, the “heart” of the tooth, and its primary role is the transportation of blood to the tooth’s root. The tooth’s dentin protects the pulp of a tooth, and the dentin is protected by the thin outer layer of the tooth called enamel. Protecting the pulp of a tooth is critical to the tooth’s health.

How Can the Pulp of a Tooth Become Threatened?

As was just mentioned, the tooth’s pulp needs to remain protected. The enamel and dentin of a tooth do a great job at this, but several situations can result in the pulp chamber being either breached or infected, leading to damage to the pulp. When a tooth’s pulp becomes swollen or inflamed due to infection, it is called pulpitis. Here are some common dental issues which could leave the pulp of a tooth vulnerable:

• Advanced decay
• Tooth fracture
• Cracked tooth
• Physical trauma, like from a blow or fall
• Advanced stages of gum disease
• Teeth grinding caused by bruxism

When a tooth’s pulp becomes infected, a root canal will be required to remove the infected matter. A crown will often be put into place to protect the compromised tooth. If you are looking for a dentist in the Sunnyvale, California area, please contact Drs. Todd Adams and Derek Tang today by dialing (408) 355-9292.

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