At Solana Endodontics, we believe that understanding the structure of your tooth and how endodontic treatment works can help you feel more confident and informed about your care.
Your tooth is made up of two primary parts:
Inside each root is a narrow space called the root canal, which houses the dental pulp—a soft tissue composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp, sometimes referred to as the "nerve" of the tooth, can become damaged or infected due to:
When the pulp is injured or diseased, it can no longer heal on its own and must be removed to save the tooth. This process is called endodontic therapy, commonly known as root canal treatment.
During this procedure, the damaged pulp is carefully removed from the canal. Because only the pulp is taken out, and the surrounding supporting tissues remain intact, the root itself continues to function normally within the jaw.
It’s important to remove the infected or inflamed pulp to prevent the spread of infection and to relieve pain. If left untreated, the diseased pulp can irritate or infect the bone and surrounding tissues, potentially leading to more serious complications.
To learn more or schedule an evaluation with a Solana Beach root canal specialist, call us today at (858)-321-ROOT.