The dental pulp is the living part of a tooth that resides inside the pulp chamber and root canals. It consists of several different types of tissues including connective tissue, arteries, veins, nerves, and dentin forming odontoblasts. The pulp chamber is the hollow area inside the tooth crown and the root canals are the hollow areas within the roots. The living tissues inside a tooth play an important role in helping a tooth form during a child's development years. Unfortunately, they can also be the source of dental pain.

         This increased pressure can kill the dental pulp and cause necrosis of these tissues. Because of the limited and restricted area inside the tooth, if the tissues in this area become inflamed and swell with no where to go, there is a dramatic build up in pressure inside the tooth. Temporary inflammation inside a tooth is called reversible pulpitis and permanent inflammation is called irreversible pulpitis. This inflammation causes tooth pain and generates heat. This is one reason that many dental emergency patients bath their sore tooth in ice water full of ice chips.

         Fortunately, a dental pulp is not absolutely needed once an adult tooth is fully formed. The procedure which removes the soft tissues and replaces them with an internal filling material is called root canal therapy. The top of the tooth is opened and the dentist uses several specially designed instruments to remove the tissues. The root canal are widened and shaped to accept a filling material called gutta percha. Of course, the best way to avoid a dental problem is to take excellent care of your teeth and see a dentist at least twice a year. Prevention is usually much less expensive and time consuming than dealing with serious problems.

        The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. You are welcome to join our family of patients. They provide root canal treatment, root canal retreatment and many root canal surgery procedures. If you having problems with your dental pulp and wish to schedule a free dental consultation with Atlanta Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, make your appointment by calling 404-874-7428.