Can gum disease cause inflammation at the root tip, making root canal treatment necessary?

Gum disease (periodontitis) usually affects the supporting tissues and bone around the tooth, but in advanced cases, the infection can spread inward from the tip of the tooth root, into the pulp (nerve) chamber. This is called “retrograde pulpitis.” When the tooth’s nerve becomes infected due to bacteria entering from the root tip, severe pain begins even without any decay or fracture in the tooth, and the nerve tissue loses its vitality. In such a situation, treating only the gums is insufficient; root canal treatment becomes absolutely necessary to clean the infected pulp tissue and save the tooth. In treatment planning, both a periodontist (gum specialist) and an endodontist (root canal specialist) should work together to treat both the inside and the outer supporting tissues of the tooth simultaneously.