To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The canal anatomy inside teeth can be highly variable and complex.  Root canal anatomy is kind of like your finger print; it is unique to your tooth.  The degree of complexity of the canal anatomy, among other things, determines how much time will be needed to treat your tooth.  It is important to remove diseased tissue and bacteria from as much of the canal system as possible to increase the likelihood of a successful result.