A tooth consists of a ‘crown’ and a root.
The crown is the part of the tooth which can be seen in the mouth. The root is the part in the jaw bone under the gum.
Teeth can have one or several roots.
Inside a tooth is a space called a root canal. This goes from the crown to the end of every root and contains the pulp.
The pulp can become diseased and die. If this happens, the patient feels pain/ gets a toothache, or a swelling/ abscess may occur. Sometimes the patient will feel nothing.
The pulp may become diseased and/ or die for a number of reasons:
- Decay
- Deep filling
- Trauma (accident)
- Tooth fracture (wear and tear)
- Gum disease
If there is disease, the tooth may be saved or extracted. Saving it involves root canal treatment.
Saving a tooth has advantages over removing it:
- No gap
- Easier to eat and talk
- Teeth can move and gum problems can happen after a tooth is extracted