What is the pulp ?
The pulp is the tissue at the heart of the tooth, beneath the enamel and dentine. It contains blood vessels and nerves. When bacteria reach it (following a deep cavity, a crack, a knock or repeated treatment on the same tooth), it can become inflamed and then infected.
Warning signs
-
sharp or throbbing pain, sometimes spontaneous or at night ;
-
sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after contact ;
-
pain when chewing or biting down ;
-
swelling of the gum or cheek, or a small pimple on the gum ;
-
a tooth that is darker than the others.
A tooth with a damaged pulp doesn't always hurt: the infection can develop without symptoms. Only an examination can confirm the diagnosis.
If you have severe pain or swelling, contact us quickly: see our "Consultations & emergencies" page.
Root canal treatment
-
Diagnosis: examination of the tooth and an X-ray.
-
Local anaesthetic for the patient's comfort.
-
Access to the pulp: the dentist opens the tooth to reach the canals.
-
Cleaning and disinfection of the canals, to remove the affected tissue and bacteria.
-
Filling: the canals are sealed with a suitable material to prevent reinfection.
-
Rebuilding the tooth: once the canals are sealed, the tooth needs to be restored.
Why does the tooth need rebuilding afterwards?
A treated tooth has often lost some of its structure (because of the cavity or the opening made to reach the canals). It can then be more fragile. A suitable restoration, sometimes a crown, is therefore generally recommended to protect it. Your dentist will advise you on the most suitable solution.
To find out more, see our "Prosthetics & aesthetics" page.