Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that involves treating the pulp of the tooth. The inside of the tooth is made up of root canals, which contain the pulp: nerves, connective tissue and the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the tooth. If the pulp becomes infected or inflamed as a result of tooth decay or injury, the patient will require root canal therapy and will need to see an endodontist. Depending on how many root canals are affected, and the root structure of the patient's tooth, root canal therapy may be quite straightforward, or much more complex.
Endodontics: Training and Specialties
A dentist who is specially trained in endodontics is called an endodontist. An endodontist has completed studies in general dentistry and taken additional years of advanced training in endodontic procedures. An endodontist limits his or her dental practice to performing endodontic therapy, and specializes in root canal therapy.
“Basically, endodontics can be broken down into two areas,” says Dr. Sinanan, an endodontist and HealthChoicesFirst.com partner. “The first area deals with diseases and inflammation of the blood vessels and nerves that are found within the tooth, hence the term 'endo,' meaning in, and 'dontics,' meaning tooth. The second part of endodontics treats cases where the infection has spread beyond the confines of the root canal system into the surrounding bone and soft tissue.”
If the infection has spread, endodontics in the form of non-surgical root canal therapy may not be an option.
Do You Need Root Canal Therapy or Surgical Endodontics?
“At this point the patient becomes very swollen, has lots of infection, and may need what we call surgical intervention, or surgical endodontics,” says Dr. Sinanan.
Most often, you will be referred to an endodontist for root canal therapy by your general dentist. Your dentist will examine the tooth to see if the pulp is infected, often by taking an X-ray and gently tapping on the tooth with an instrument. Some dentists perform root canal therapy, but in many cases they will refer patients to an endodontist. After the endodontic surgery is completed, you will probably visit your regular dentist again to receive a permanent crown on the tooth.
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