Dead Tooth – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Dr. B. Kanagasabapathy
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
A tooth is said to be dead or non-vital if blood flow is no longer received. A tooth may die from decay or injury in a matter of days, or slowly from months to years. The occurrence of a dead tooth mainly depends on your oral hygiene.
The dead tooth can damage the jaw and nearby tooth if left untreated.
Symptoms of a dead tooth
- Tooth discoloration
- Pain in jaw
- Abscess
- Loose tooth
- Swollen and puffy gums
- Prolonged bad breath
- Prolonged bad taste in mouth
Causes of a Dead Tooth
A tooth comprises of different layers:
Enamel: A thin, strong, shiny, white protective coating on the teeth, and molars lying around the crown’s dental bone (dentin).
Dentine: It is the bone of the tooth, a calcified substance that makes up teeth and molars and lies beneath the enamel.
Pulp: It is the heart of the tooth’s inner part and it includes nerve fibers, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Living tissues and nerves residing in the pulp normally die from a lack of blood supply. Blood makes sure that the body’s living cells, including the feel of toothache, are preserved. When the pulp dies, bacteria feed on decaying matter. They then develop in the freshly hollowed tooth and create a pain that is incredibly painful. Thus tooth trauma and tooth decay may cause a dead tooth.
It is mainly caused due to:
A physical injury in tooth – It will block the supply of blood to the tooth and cause the tooth to die.
Poor oral Hygiene – It can cause cavities. Cavities may lead to infection in the tooth pulp if left untreated which stops the blood supply to the tooth and allows it to die.
Diagnosis
It is strongly advised that you contact your dentist as immediately as you have a tooth injury, or if you feel any discomfort and discoloration of your tooth so they can start the treatment. During dental check-ups and by dental X-rays a dentist can find a dead tooth.
Treatment
A dead tooth can be addressed with any of the following methods:
Root Canal
The impacted tooth and its root will be refined during this process to extract the abscess or affected tissue. Your root canal specialist will close the root after cleaning, and insert the permanent filling to avoid further infection.
After treatment, a dead tooth may operate, but it may require a crown or veneer to provide additional strength and support.
Extraction of tooth
If it can’t be restored or is seriously damaged, your dentist can suggest removing your tooth. Your dentist will remove the tooth completely during the treatment. However, the removed tooth can be replaced with an implant, denture, or bridge.
Prevention tips
Practice proper oral hygiene like twice a day of brushing and flossing
Wear a mouthguard while you are taking part in contact sports to avoid teeth damage
Reduce the consumption of sugary foods and drinks to reduce the possibility of decay and cavities
Drink plenty of water to wash away the food particles, mainly after eating
Schedule routine dental check-ups and cleaning appointments
Contact us at 9942502110 if you are searching for the right treatment for a dead tooth.
