This procedure removes dental pulp when it has become dead or
infected. Dental pulp is the soft core of the tooth. It contains
nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp extends
from the top of the tooth, called the crown, all the way down to
the roots, in branches called canals. Reasons for Procedure
Dental pulp may become infected because of: When dental pulp
becomes infected or dies, a painful abscess within the jawbone
will occur. Removing dead or diseased dental pulp will prevent
infection from spreading to other areas of the mouth and
destroying bone around the tooth. If a root canal is not done,
the tooth will need to be removed. Common signs of pulp problems
include: - Pain when biting down on a tooth - Pain when the
tooth is not being used - Sensitivity to hot or cold food or
beverages - Tooth discoloration - Swollen gums around the
infected tooth - A draining boil-like structure (called a
fistula) on the gum adjacent to the tooth Complications are
rare, but no procedure is completely fre