What is Endodontics?
WHAT IS ENDODONTICS?
What is Endodontics?
WHAT IS ENDODONTICS?
Endodontics is the dental specialty focused on diagnosing and treating diseases of the dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of teeth. Endodontists receive advanced training in procedures such as root canal therapy, root canal retreatment, and endodontic surgery to eliminate infection, relieve pain, and preserve natural teeth.
The primary goal of endodontic treatment is to remove bacteria from the root canal system, promote healing, and prevent future infection. Simply put, the mission of endodontics is to save natural teeth whenever possible.
Anatomy
The root canal is the space inside a tooth’s root that contains the dental pulp—a living tissue made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp helps the tooth develop and provides sensation to temperature, pressure, and injury.
When bacteria enter the pulp through deep decay, cracks, trauma, or leaking restorations, the tissue can become inflamed or infected. If left untreated, the infection may spread beyond the tooth and damage the surrounding bone. Root canal treatment removes the infected tissue, eliminates bacteria, and helps preserve the natural tooth.
Etiology
The primary cause of a tooth infection is bacteria. While the dental pulp can defend itself against small numbers of bacteria, overwhelming bacterial invasion can lead to infection and inflammation. When infection spreads beyond the tooth, it can cause apical periodontitis—inflammation and bone loss around the root tip.
Apical periodontitis may develop without symptoms, but it can also cause pain when chewing, biting, or touching the tooth. In some cases, pain may occur spontaneously without any obvious trigger.
Endodontists
Endodontists
Why visit an endodontist?
Just as a physician may refer you to a medical specialist, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist for specialized care of the root canal system. Endodontists complete at least two additional years of advanced specialty training beyond dental school, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of tooth pain, infections, and complex root canal procedures. This advanced training allows them to provide highly specialized care with a strong emphasis on saving natural teeth.
Please view the patient videos below for more information:
Features interviews with root canal patients describing their positive, pain-free experiences, while endodontists explain what a root canal is and symptoms you may have if you need one.
Just like technology changes, so has root canal treatment. Modern endodontists use state-of-the-art training and technology to provide quick, comfortable treatment to relieve your pain and save your tooth.
Endodontists detail the positive relationships they have with their referring general practitioners and a general dentist talks about the importance of knowing his limitations.
Learn how endodontists, the specialists in saving teeth, use advanced technology and expert training to reinvent modern root canal treatment.