Toothaches are a vivid reminder that teeth aren’t just pieces of hard tissue floating around the gums. They’re intricately formed sensory organs with layers of dentin and enamel that overlay a living pulp. Coursing through the tooth’s pulp is a vital bundle of nerves and blood vessels that provide nutrients and sensation to each tooth. Patients rarely know the systems at work as long as the pulp stays healthy.
Tooth pain can be especially alarming, but it can warn you when something’s wrong. Pain can tell us that the bundle of nerves and vessels inside your tooth is irritated, damaged, or under attack.
A deep cavity can give bacteria access to the inner nerve bundle. Sometimes, a significant infection or abscess may develop in the jaw without noticeable symptoms. If Dr. Nimri and Dr. Saab discover a severely damaged nerve or signs of infection, root canal therapy may be suggested.
Modern anesthetics provide powerful numbing for gently removing the inflamed nerve inside the tooth. The nerve canal undergoes disinfection and careful shaping while a sealer fills the internal space. A filling or crown covering the tooth can help return it to its original function.
But, Is It Safe?
Despite years of research proving otherwise, Internet articles continue circulating false adverse effects from root canals. Many of these claims are based on false theories decades ago without a scientific basis. One popular Facebook article sounding a false alarm shakily rests on a 100-year-old study tossed aside long ago.
The American Association of Endodontists stays abreast of all the current and past research to support the safety of this vital service. New techniques and materials make root canal treatment more successful than ever.
