Tooth Nerve Damage Changing Your View Of Root Canals

Tooth nerve damage can have several possible causes but only two possible solutions. The first thing to consider is what we mean when we say tooth nerve.

Tooth nerve is a common expression used to describe the dental pulp. The pulp is soft tissue found on the inside of the tooth. It  contains:

• blood vessels
• nerve tissue
• lymphatic vessels
• specialized cells

The specialized cells have a special function in the tooth nerve. Damage to these cells will prevent your tooth from fully developing because these cells build the hard structures of the tooth.

Once the tooth completes its development the dental pulp has no vital function in maintaining your tooth.

Causes of Tooth Nerve Damage

• Tooth decay. Bacteria from tooth decay is the most common cause of damage to the dental pulp.

• Dental procedures. Dental fillings and crowns will always cause a certain level of damage to the tooth nerve. Sometimes this is reversible and the pulp returns to a healthy condition.

• Cracks. Cracks in a tooth can cause problems with the dental pulp. The determining factor here is how deeply the crack goes into the tooth.

•  Trauma. If you tooth gets bumped in an accident it can cause tooth nerve damage. Sometimes the force of the trauma is enough to cause damage that results in the need for tooth treatment.

Severity of Tooth Nerve Damage

Once the healthy dental pulp is damaged we speak of three possible conditions of the pulp:

1. Reversible inflammation. This is also called reversible pulpitis or pulpal inflammation. In this case the damage to the pulp is mild and the pulp will not be sensitive. You've probably experienced this after a filling was placed. Your tooth is sensitive to drinking something cold for a couple of days but it gradually improves. Eventually the tooth feels normal and we refer to this as reversible inflammation.

2.  Irreversible inflammation. This is a pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp) that doesn't get better. In this case the pulp has become inflamed to the point that the vital pulp tissue will ultimately degenerate. Some of the classic symptoms of this are:

• spontaneous, throbbing toothache
• prolonged and severe sensitivity to hot and/or cold
• possible pain with biting pressure

3.  Necrosis. By this we mean the pulp tissue is no longer vital. This is what you have with an abscessed tooth. You may eventually have pus with a necrotic pulp. Pain and swelling are both possible when you have tooth nerve damage that leads to necrosis of the dental pulp.

Treatment of Tooth Nerve Damage

With reversible pulp inflammation no treatment is required. The sensitivity eventually resolves on its own.

If you have irreversible pulp inflammation or pulpal necrosis you will need to have the tooth treated. With both of these conditions the pulp must be removed. There are only two options that will accomplish this:

1. Tooth removal
2. Root canal treatment

As an endodontist (root canal specialist) for the past 20+ years I would strongly urge you to consider saving your tooth with a root canal. Tooth removal may seem like the easiest and least expensive option but in the long run you are better saving your own natural tooth.

I know that nobody likes hearing that they need a root canal. It causes a great deal of anxiety and hesitation. Much of this is due to the myths and misunderstandings that exist about root canals.

In The Relaxed Root Canal I answer over 80 commonly asked questions about root canals. One of the questions I answer is, "Are root canals controversial?"

In Chapter 5 I give you the one question you should ask your dentist before having your root canal.

You simply must get a yes answer to this question.
I recommend what I think you should do if you get a no answer.

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