Endodontic disease
Endodontic disease refers to a condition affecting the dental pulp, which is the innermost part of the tooth containing connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. This disease primarily occurs due to bacterial infections that penetrate the pulp through tooth decay, cracks, or abrasions. Symptoms often include severe pain and inflammation of the gums, particularly when an abscess forms, indicating a more serious infection. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding soft tissues and bone, leading to chronic issues.
The primary treatment for endodontic disease is root canal therapy, a specialized procedure performed by endodontists. During this treatment, the infected pulp is removed, and the empty space is filled with an inert material to preserve the tooth. Although a tooth undergoing this treatment is often considered "dead," the supporting structures may remain healthy, allowing for continued function. Historically, tooth extraction was the main solution for endodontic disease, but advances in dental research have led to more effective preservation techniques. Ongoing research focuses on understanding endodontic disease and improving preventive measures, emphasizing the importance of dental health in mitigating such conditions.
Endodontic disease
ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Mouth, teeth
DEFINITION: Disease of the dental pulp and sometimes also the soft tissues and bone around the tip of the root.
CAUSES: Bacterial infection of dental pulp
SYMPTOMS: Gum inflammation and pain, which is severe if abscess forms
DURATION: Chronic if untreated
TREATMENTS: Root canal treatment
Causes and Symptoms
The most common cause of endodontic disease is infection of the dental pulp by the bacteria that cause tooth decay. The is composed of connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels, and tooth regenerative cells. It fills the root canal, a narrow channel in the center of the tooth root, which is embedded in the jawbone. Teeth usually contain one to four root canals. Decay-causing reach the pulp after dissolving their way through the two, hard outer layers of the tooth—the and dentin. Bacteria may also reach the pulp through a crack or fracture in a tooth and through tooth wear or abrasion. Many kinds of bacteria can infect the pulp.
Pulp infected by bacteria becomes inflamed and has no place to swell because it is surrounded by dentin, which is rigid. Pain may result. Eventually, the entire pulp may become infected and die. If not treated, the infection can spread to the soft tissue and bone surrounding the tip of the root and form an abscess, which often produces severe pain.
Treatment and Therapy
To treat damaged or dead pulp tissue and preserve the tooth, endodontic therapy, or root canal treatment, is required. Endodontists specialize in this procedure. One or two visits are usually required. A small hole is made in the top (crown) of the infected tooth, and all the pulp tissue is removed. Then an inert material, usually a piece of rubberlike gum called gutta percha, is inserted in place of the pulp and secured in place with a sealer or cement. A tooth that has had is commonly considered to be dead, but the fibers of the periodontal that hold the tooth in the jawbone are still alive. Following this procedure, additional dental treatments are necessary to preserve the weakened tooth.
Perspective and Prospects
Historically, the only remedy for endodontic disease was tooth extraction. Since the mid-twentieth century, endodontic research has yielded treatments that preserve infected teeth. Furthermore, there has been an increased appreciation of the role of dental in preventing and the endodontic infections that can result from it. Research on the causes and prevention of endodontic disease, and treatments for it, is being conducted at dental schools and at the National Institute of Dental and Cranio-Facial Research.
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