Endodontics

Endodontics is the area of dentistry that deals with the inside of the tooth (originating from the Greek “endo” for “inside” and “dontie” for “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.

The canals must be cleaned according to a very exact procedure. The endodont is then closed to ensure that this disinfection is sustained. Once the canals are filled and sealed, a temporary dressing is then applied. UNKNOWN This can be diagnosed through X-ray examinations. The canals must be cleaned according to a very exact procedure.

The tooth can then be restored by

root canal treatment, which involves:

  • Removing any remaining infected living tissue (dental pulp) from inside the tooth;
  • Thoroughly clearing out the inside of the tooth, which is done in a mechanical way by scraping the internal surface using manual, or mechanical, endodontic files. This is done in tandem with a chemical process, using a disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite) to irrigate the area.
  • Shaping the canal lumen up to the apical foramen.
  • Drying of the root canal system.
  • Filling of the canal area, with either heat-softened, or cold, gutta-percha (a rubber-like material), which is attached to the dentinal wall with root canal cement .

Once the canals are filled and sealed, the tooth can be restored.

Dental treatments