Endodontics is a sub-specialty of dentistry, that deals with the tooth pulp or dentine complex. The most common procedure done in endodontics is root-canal therapy. The pulp (containing nerves, blood and lymph vessels) can become diseased or injured and thus is unable to repair itself. The pulp then dies and Endodontic treatment is required.

Endodontic treatment is the removal of diseased pulp tissue. The body's defence system can then repair the damage created by disease. Usually, this will require 2-3 visits to your dentist.

The dentist will use a local anaesthetic to make the procedure pain-free. A rubber dam isolates the tooth and provides a clean environment. An opening is made in the top of the tooth then the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned and shaped for filling and sealing. Between visits, the opening is temporarily filled and removed during the next visit for the next step in the treatment.

The tooth will need to be restored, usually by a new crown. If required, a support will be added.

Dentists specializing in this field are called endodontists and complete an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school.

If the tooth is treated at stage #1 only a small filling will be required. If decay reaches stage #3, root canal therapy will be required.

The aim of treatment is to remove infection (e.g. bacteria) from inside the tooth. If left, the infection would leak out of the tooth's root ends and make the surrounding bone ill and painful.

An endodontist is a dentist with special training in diagnosing and treating problems associated with the inside of the tooth. They do only endodontic procedures in their practices because they are specialists. To become specialists, they complete dental school and an additional two or more years of advanced training in endodontics, one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. They perform routine as well as difficult and very complex endodontic procedures, including retreatment of previous root canals that have not healed completely, as well as endodontic surgery. Endodontists are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose.

“Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth’s growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your endodontist’s instructions carefully.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.


If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.

Occasionally, a cavity on the outside of the tooth may allow this soft tissue to become infected. If left untreated a serious jaw infection can result. The infection and inflammation is very painful in most cases. Ideally treatment should take place before this happens.

To cure the infection and save the tooth, it is necessary for the dentist to open into the pulp chamber, and remove the infected pulp by scraping it out of the root canals. Once that is done, the dentist fills the cavity with an inert material, usually Gutta-percha, and seals up the opening. This procedure is known as root canal therapy. If enough of the tooth is damaged by the disease or removed as a result of the treatment, a crown may be required.

For patients, root canal therapy is one of the most feared procedures in all of dentistry; contrary to popular belief, however, root canal treatment is usually painless due to effective pain control techniques used by the dentist while the treatment is being performed and the (optional) use of pain control medication after treatment.


READ MORE...
General Dental Care
Childhood Dental Care
Dental Procedures