Root canal treatment
Tooth Structure
A tooth is comprised of three basic structures and two parts. The structures consist of enamel - the hard surface structure of the tooth, dentine - a yellowish tissue that is harder than bone but softer than enamel, and the pulp. The pulp is the softest part of the tooth and contains all the blood vessels and nerves essential to keep teeth healthy. (Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that specialises in the treatment of the pulp). The two parts of the tooth are the crown, which is that part of the tooth above the gum line, and the root, which is the part below it.
A deep cavity or fracture in a tooth can allow bacteria to seep through the enamel and dentin into the pulp. This bacteria can then cause an infection of the pulp and the nerves inside the tooth. The tooth may become abscessed causing pain and sensitivity. If this is not treated the infection will spread, the bone around the tooth will begin to break down and the tooth could die and fall out.