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Inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that contains nerves and blood vessels. These are crucial to your tooth’s health. As with anything in your body, when the blood supply is cut off, the tissue, bone, and other material will die. This is what happens when you develop a dead tooth. Below is everything you need to know about this issue, including how a dentist can help.

Causes & Symptoms

Injury and decay to the pulp and pulp chambers are the most common causes of dead teeth. When either occurs and prevents blood from reaching the tooth, death follows. Force trauma from contact sports or aggressively biting on a hard object may damage the pulp chamber. Likewise, when decay-causing bacteria break into the pulp chambers, they’ll infect the pulp and cut off blood flow. Symptoms can vary, including:

  • A single dark, discolored tooth
  • Mild or intense pain in the tooth
  • Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
  • Swelling around the tooth

Infections can spread to other teeth, so schedule an exam with a dentist if you suspect you have a dead tooth. The symptoms aren’t always apparent, which is why you need to see a dentist twice a year for a professional exam.

Treatment

dentistIf a dentist suspects a dead tooth, they’ll perform an X-ray to confirm. Based on the extent of damage from trauma or decay, they’ll then explore two treatment options, extraction or root canal therapy.

If the tooth is too badly damaged to repair, it’s often best to just remove it. This is usually the case when large portions are broken off, or the tooth has already been weakened by previous fillings and dental care. Prior to the procedure, discuss cosmetic replacements like dental implants or dental bridges with your dentist.

If the tooth is salvageable, the dentist will perform root canal therapy. They’ll enter the tooth through the crown and then remove all the infected pulp and bacteria from the root canals. They’ll then sterilize and seal the canals with tooth cement to prevent bacteria from returning. The dentist will apply a dental crown over the tooth to further protect it and restore use.

 

Whether you have concerns about a dead tooth or are just overdue for a dental exam, contact Dr. David K. Skeels. Serving Rochester, NY, and the surrounding communities, Dr. Skeels focuses on creating a personalized treatment plan for each patient. He’ll carefully assess your needs and then offer general and cosmetic dentistry solutions to restore your smile. First-time patients can call (585) 467-7000 for more information. Learn more about the practice by visiting his website.

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