Dental Pulp: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

Dental Pulp: What Is It and Why Is It Important?

Mar 01, 2023

Every tooth in our mouth has one or multiple root canals that houses nerves and blood supply. The tissue inside the canal is known as “pulp.” The tooth pulp has numerous functions like protecting teeth from potential dangers, supplying nutrients, etc. When the dental pulp becomes infected, it causes pain and raises the need for root canal therapy Seattle to save the tooth.

What is a Tooth Pulp?

A tooth pulp is a portion of a tooth that is alive. This center part of the tooth consists of:

  • Connective tissues.
  • Nerves.
  • Special cells.
  • Blood vessels.

Why is a Dental Pulp Important?

Dental pulp performs numerous functions:

Formation of Dentin

The primary function of the pulp is to make dentin. Due to trauma, it generates secondary dentin (called reparative dentin).

Sensory Function

Every portion of the tooth is crucial and has its own function.

  • The tooth enamel acts as the initial line of defense for the tooth.
  • The dentin layer serves as the skeleton.
  • The tooth root is into the jawbone to ensure maximum stability.
  • The gum line creates a protective seal for the teeth.

Dental pulp recognizes pain from pressure, trauma, or other stimulation in the mouth.

Boosts Structural Integrity

Once the dental professional eliminates the pulp after a root canal, it turns brittle and may crack. To fix this issue, the expert usually recommends crowns after root canal therapy. It will ensure that tiny cracks on the tooth are not formed and prevent the loss of tooth pulp. Since the dental pulp has blood vessels, they keep the tooth well-nourished. It ultimately prevents the tooth from turning brittle.

Why Does the Tooth Need Pulp?

Below are the several reasons why your tooth requires dental pulp:

Blood Vessels

The pulp consists of small blood vessels that come from the jaw and extend into the dentin layer. Receding enamel makes a way for bacteria to enter the pulp. It is how decay occurs.

Growth of Tooth

The pulp also contains living tissues. These tissues serve as the heart or brain for the remaining tooth. For example, the leaving tissues supply essentials to develop and form teeth. Once the adult tooth develops in an individual, it supplies blood to that region.

Nerves

The pulp has extensive nerve networks. It is where most of the dental pain occurs.

Signs of Pulp Diseases

If you have the following signs, you might be dealing with pulp disease.

  • Unbearable and constant mouth pain.
  • Pain in the teeth/tooth while consuming cold, sweet, or hot beverages and foods.
  • Mouth infection.

Types of Pulp Diseases

Below are the different types of pulp diseases:

Dental Pulp Calcification

They are also called dental pulp stones. They occur when the pulp tissue gets calcified or hard. It leads to serious pain and hypersensitivity.

Dental Pulp Exposure

Dental pulp exposure occurs when the external covering of the tooth gets damaged. It exposes the pulp to food bits and bacteria in the mouth. This ultimately declines oral health.

Reversible Pulpitis

The condition is known as mild pulp inflammation. Therefore, if you are struggling with pain when consuming cold, sweet, or hot food varieties, you have reversible pulpitis.

Irreversible Pulpitis

When the inflammation of the dental pulp becomes too severe, it is known as irreversible pulpitis. When left untreated for a long time, it can lead to extensive connective tissue and gum infection.

Pulp Disease Treatment: What to Expect?

When the professional at Seattle Sound Dental finds that the dental pulp cannot heal on its own, he/she recommends root canal treatment. It helps to prevent the infection from spreading further while saving the tooth. During the RCT, you can expect the following:

  • The initial visits include taking an X-ray to find out if there are any infections present in the nearby bones.
  • Then, the expert will eliminate the diseased pulp and assess the hole to clean it thoroughly.
  • In a few cases, the professional uses sodium hypochlorite to remove the grime from the mouth and for disinfecting.
  • After that, the expert uses a temporary filling in the hole to eradicate harmful contaminants.
  • During the second visit, the professional will eradicate the temporary filling and replace it with the permanent one.
  • Finally, the dentist restores the tooth using a dental crown and a post. These dental restorative procedures make the affected tooth stronger.