Most patients do not realize that a tooth is a living organ, which contains nerves and blood vessels in the center of the tooth, beneath the outer layers of enamel and dentin. Decay begins in the outer layer, enamel. If left untreated, bacteria continue to eat away at the tooth structure into the next layer, dentin. At this point, decay can still be treated with a crown or filling after decay is removed. If still untreated, decay will reach the nerve and blood supply within the tooth and at this point infection is present, and the infected nerve and blood supply must be removed. When the root canal system which contains the nerves and blood vessels is infected it will either present as excruciating pain and swelling, or zero pain with or without swelling. The first scenario is the most common, and if you are experiencing this contact your dentist immediately to begin antibiotics. The second scenario simply means that infection is present, but the nerve has died and is no longer transmitting pain. Although pain may not be present, a root canal is still required to remove the infected nerve. If left untreated, infection will spread and can cause a potentially life threatening situation. Your dentist will be able to diagnose infection by routine x-rays and clinical exams.

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