In dentistry, there are cases when a patient needs to remove a dental nerve. However, there are still many myths surrounding this procedure.
Why is it necessary to remove the nerve of a tooth, and does it hurt?
What is a dental nerve?
Teeth have a rather complex structure. Inside the tooth root is the pulp – a plexus of lymphatic, blood vessels and nerve endings.
It is the pulp that protects the tooth tissue from various microorganisms, thanks to which the tooth reacts to external stimuli, such as heat and cold. Inflammation of the pulp (pulpitis) can cause the patient sensitivity to cold and hot and severe pain that worsens at night.
After pulp removal, the tooth’s resistance to bacteria decreases, and its blood supply and mineralization cease. Therefore, doctors try not to remove the pulp without extreme need.
If the patient has consulted a doctor after a long time, and the pain in the tooth becomes very pronounced, the nerve, that is, the pulp, will have to be removed, as this is the only option to save the tooth. The procedure also relieves pain and discomfort associated with an infected or damaged pulp.
Removal of the nerve (pulp) is also called depulpation.
In what cases can the nerve be removed
Causes that lead to inflammation of the pulp and its removal:
- advanced caries;
- tooth injury.
Does it hurt to remove a nerve?
Patients’ fear of nerve removal is usually caused by myths that have arisen around this procedure. Unfortunately, many people are not familiar with modern dentistry and believe that depulping is associated with pain.
In ancient times, the nerve was removed without anesthesia, and arsenic was also used to “kill” the nerve. Such procedures were painful and unpleasant. In addition, arsenic is a strong poison that requires extreme caution. If it remained in the tooth for longer than a certain time, it could lead to the destruction of tooth tissues and other negative consequences.
In modern dentistry, this method is almost no longer used: safer methods of depulpation are preferred.
A thorough examination and diagnostic imaging help the dentist determine the extent of the problem and whether the pulp needs to be removed.
During the procedure, the infected or damaged pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned. The cleaned tooth is then filled to prevent further infection.
If the specialist deems it necessary, he can install a temporary filling after removing the pulp to ensure the success of the depulpation.
Then, during the next appointment, the doctor will remove the temporary filling and put a permanent one. In some cases, a crown is installed to restore the function and appearance of the tooth.
At the same time, the patient does not feel pain, and the risk of complications is reduced to a minimum. On the contrary, after the procedure, the patient gets rid of toothache and his quality of life improves.
Currently, dentists use modern painkillers that provide high-quality anesthesia. This allows the doctor to access the inflamed nerve and remove the affected tissue. The nerve is removed using special dental instruments.
Another myth is that after the nerve is removed, the tooth becomes “dead” and will soon fall out or break down. However, in fact depulpation, on the contrary, saves the tooth from destruction and removal.
What complications can occur after nerve removal
After the removal of the nerve, the tooth becomes less strong and slightly changes color. However, with proper treatment, a tooth without a nerve can be saved for a long time.
Complications that may occur in a patient after depulpation are usually associated with either an improperly performed procedure or anatomical features of the dental canals and pulp.
If the dental canals are strongly curved, access to the pulp may be difficult, and it may not be removed completely. However, in modern dentistry, the use of X-rays allows the doctor to study the shape of the patient’s canals before removing the nerve and choose the right tools, which minimizes complications.
The most frequent complications that can occur after nerve removal are severe pain in the patient associated with the development of the inflammatory process. In this case, you should immediately consult a dentist. If this is not done, the pain may increase, and in parallel with this, swelling and bad breath may appear.
Prevention of pulpitis
In order to prevent pulpitis and nerve removal, we recommend maintaining oral hygiene and preventing the development of caries.
By visiting the dentist at least once every six months, you will ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of caries, thanks to which the carious process cannot penetrate too deeply into the tissues of the tooth and spread to the pulp.
Regular brushing with a good quality toothpaste and regular visits to the dentist are the best way to avoid a nerve removal procedure.