Removing the dental nerve is a procedure called endodontic treatment or simply root canal treatment (RCT). This process is necessary when an infection has reached the inner tissues of the tooth (pulp), causing severe pain and discomfort.
The importance of the dental nerve to overall dental health
Tooth nerve removal is the dental procedure that is most commonly performed. Endodontic treatment, as it is also called, should be performed by a qualified and experienced dentist.
Before the manipulation, the doctor will explain to the patient in detail how the nerve is removed, how painful it is, what tools are used, what complications can occur after this. From our article you can learn all the main points of this operation.
The dental nerve (pulp) performs very important functions in the life of the dental unit. The pulp is a complex of connective tissues, blood vessels and nerve endings in the root canal of the tooth. Let’s list the main functions of the pulp:
- Nourishment of all tooth structures: the circulatory system of the pulp tissue ensures the delivery of all necessary substances and microelements for the normal growth and functioning of the dental unit.
- Sensitivity: nerve endings make it possible to feel the effects of temperature stimuli, feel pain in various pathologies and injuries, which serves as an impetus to contact the dentist.
- Immune defense: the dental nerve has immune cells, in case of infection they protect the tooth, preventing the further spread of pathogenic microflora.
But nevertheless, there may be situations in which the dental nerve is damaged: carious lesions, various inflammatory processes in the tooth and others. Then dentists are forced to remove the nerve to prevent further spread of the pathological process and the possibility to save the tooth.
How to remove a dental nerve
Depulping, or procedure to remove the dental nerve, is carried out under anesthesia, so fears that it is very painful are unfounded. Manipulation begins with opening the cavity of caries, then provide access to the tooth cavity, the dentist extracts the pulp from it, and then from the root canals of the tooth.
Next, the doctor conducts filling to prevent the penetration of bacteria into the periodontal tissues surrounding the bone structures. Otherwise, the infectious process can threaten fatal complications. The tooth with a filling stops hurting and bothering the patient.
Depulpation with further installation of a filling is carried out in the following indications:
- Deep and severe carious lesion – slow-flowing, severe pathology, in which cariesogenic bacteria, having destroyed the layers, get deep into the tooth cavity, reaching the pulp. In such a situation, there is a high probability of inflammation of the jaw (osteomyelitis, phlegmon, cysts, etc.); in such a lesion, the crown part of the tooth is destroyed, and painful sensations spread to the entire tooth.
- With the blood stream pathogenic microflora gets into the root canal of the dental unit and inflammation occurs – pulpitis and periodontitis.
- Traumatic damage to the dental nerve.
- Poor-quality filling leads to further progression of carious lesions, the patient begins to worry about acute pain, and it is necessary to carry out repeated treatment.
- The need to install a prosthesis.
Sometimes it is possible to perform only conservative biological treatment without having to remove the pulp. This is possible at the initial stage of pulpitis with a small lesion area and in persons 25-30 years of age.
Contraindications to dental nerve removal
Depulping is categorically contraindicated in the following conditions:
- acute inflammatory processes of the oral cavity – stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis;
- acute somatic diseases or chronic pathology in the stage of exacerbation;
- oncologic diseases;
- diseases of the blood coagulation system;
- acute psychiatric conditions;
- pregnancy in the I and III trimesters; in the II trimester – for emergency indications.
Oral care after nerve removal
After nerve removal and filling, the patient is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Do not eat for two hours after the procedure, then you can eat only soft, rubbed food; solid foods are introduced into the diet gradually; avoid viscous food (toffee), food coloring (coffee and beets).
- Refuse bad habits – alcohol and tobacco use, which lead to impaired nutrition and blood circulation of the dental element and surrounding tissues, which can provoke complications; in addition, nicotine has the ability to change the color of tooth enamel.
- If a slight swelling or painful sensations appear, ice should be applied to the cheek.
- Do not use warm compresses on the cheek for 7 days after the procedure, refuse hot food and drinks, do not visit baths and saunas.
- For the first two days, rinse the mouth with antiseptic solutions, use toothpaste that the doctor advised, and brush your teeth twice a day.
- See a dentist every 6 months for a professional teeth cleaning if the enamel darkens.
Call our Brickell Dental Care at (407) 863 6487 or online at the website. We can make same-day appointments.