Root Canal
 
     
  Why Are the Associated Toothaches So Painful?

Located inside each tooth are pulp chambers that funnel into root canals that house nerve fibers, blood and lymph tissues. The pulp chambers serve the purpose of sensory perception - hot and cold. A root canal can become infected for several reasons, including severe tooth decay, a crack, or chip in the tooth. In fact, any kind of restorative material such as a dental filling or crown can expand over time. Fractures in the tooth can occur through expansion. As a restoration pulls away from the tooth, or in the case of fracture, bacteria can set in and cause an infection. When pus and debris fill these narrow roots, the pressure from the bacteria causes pain, and the root may become infected. The end result may be a toothache.
 
     
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
     
 

In cases where tooth extraction is the only solution, the area where the tooth was may be replaced with a dental implant or dental bridge to maintain functionality, including a proper bite and avoidance of teeth shifting. It is important to have a professional evaluation into the cause of a toothache because a severe infection may spread beyond the jaw to the head and neck. If an infection spreads to the head and neck, more extensive medical treatment may be required, including hospitalization.