anatomy

Tooth Pulp

Definition

The innermost layer of a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels. Infected or inflamed pulp is treated with root canal.

In detail

The pulp supplies sensation and keeps the tooth alive. Once irreversibly damaged (by decay, trauma, or crack), it cannot heal. Root canal removes the pulp and seals the space. A 'dead tooth' has a treated (empty) pulp chamber.