My dental hygienist says it's dead. The pamphlet from my endodontist says it's alive and continues to be "nourished" by surrounding tissue.
2007-10-20 11:28:05 · 4 answers · asked by ishouldbesleeping 2 in Health ➔ Dental
This is a matter of semantics. The inside pulp of the tooth is dead but the tissues surrounding the root, that connect it to the bone, are alive so I suppose that you could say the outside is alive.
2007-10-20 12:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by docgobbler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The area with the root canal may very well be dead but the tooth is alive. If the tooth was dead, it would simply fall out. Think of how dentures work. They have to be glued on because the teeth are not real living teeth. They cannot be implanted because they are dead. Your teeth receive blood and nourishment through the surrounding tissue in your gums. With these nutrients, your teeth will continue to live for the rest of your life assuming you have regular checkups and take very good care of them (brushing twice a day).
2007-10-20 18:40:23 · answer #2 · answered by napervillecentral 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nerves are dead, tooth exists
2007-10-20 18:51:53 · answer #3 · answered by saf r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a root canal because the roots are killed, so therefore no pain.
2007-10-20 18:47:35 · answer #4 · answered by Bethany 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋