Devitalization is a relatively common act of removing the nerve from a tooth
when it has been damaged by a deep cavity, crack, shock… It comes under the domain of
endodontics, which deals with the inside of the tooth.
Why devitalize a tooth ?
- A deep cavity or trauma (broken tooth shock...) may cause irreversible damage to the nerve of
the tooth. The tooth must be devitalized, because the nerve can no longer heal.
- If the tooth is not devitalized, the infection will eventually spread along the root to the jaw
bone and cause an abscess.
- Premolar and molar canine incisors all teeth can be devitalized.
Devitalization is sometimes followed by:
- The installation of a composite to close the access to the pulp.
- The laying of a crown if the visible part in the mouth of the tooth is very damaged.
- The installation of an inlay-core to create a solid anchor for the crown.
