Endodontics
Endodontics is the area of dentistry that deals with the inside of the tooth (derived from the Greek “endo” meaning “inside” and “dontie” meaning “tooth”). Endodontic procedures, or root canal treatment, is required when the pulp is infected or inflamed or, in case of periapical infections, as a result of deep decay, cracking or fractures of the teeth, or an aged canal filling.
If these are not treated, the pulp becomes necrotic and the space containing it (the endodontium) will become infected. This leads to the development of a reservoir of bacteria. These start to colonize the entire area from the root to the alveolar bone, and then cause quite a serious inflammatory reaction, accompanied by pain and leading to an abscess.
Les canaux sont nettoyés selon un protocole précis. L’Endodonte est ensuite obturé pour assurer la pérennité de cette désinfection. Une fois les canaux remplis et étanches, un pansement provisoire est posé. La dent sera reconstituée par plus ou moins importante. Ce qui pourra se diagnostiquer lors d’examens radiographiques. Les canaux sont nettoyés selon un protocole précis.
The tooth can then be restored by
Root canal treatment involves:
- Removing any remaining infected living tissue from inside the tooth (dental pulp)
- Thoroughly clearing out the inside of the tooth: through a mechanical action: scraping the internal surface using manual or mechanical endodontic files, combined with a chemical action: irrigation with a disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite)
- Shaping the canal lumen up to the apical foramen
- Drying the root canal system
- Performing the canal filling using heated or cold gutta-percha, bonded to the dentinal walls with a root canal cement
Once the canals are filled and sealed, the tooth can be restored.