What other factors affect root canal treatment?
The age of the patient, and the position of the teeth also may affect root canal treatment. Roots are still growing and developing until 16-21 years of age. A young child may be treated so as to preserve the pulp if possible, thus permitting mature growth and strengthening of the internal tooth structure. As we age, the pulp chamber becomes smaller as a result of continued deposition of dentin, the internal layer of tooth structure. One analogy is the way trees add on rings of bark on the outside, dental pulp continues to add layers of dentin to the inside of the roots thus the canals become smaller as we age. This process may be accelerated by trauma or injury to the pulp. This is referred to as calcification of the internal pulp chamber and canals. Ordinarily canals may be smaller than the diameter of a hair, and when calcified they may be very difficult to find or negotiate. The position of the teeth in the mouth affects treatment in several ways. The back teeth are obviously harder
