Endodontic Dentistry
What is Endodontic Dentistry?
Endodontics, from the Greek endo (inside) and odons
(tooth), is a specialist sub-field of dentistry that deals with the
tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. The pulp
(containing nerves, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue
and fibrous tissue) can become diseased or injured, and is often unable
to repair itself; if it dies, endodontic treatment is required.
Endodontists are dentists who have specialized in this field;
qualification as an endodontist typically requires an additional 2-3
years of training following dental school. Many endodontic residents do
original research and earn a Master's degree as well as a specialty
certificate. They specialize and limit their practice to root canal
therapy and root canal surgery, and use their special training and
experience in treating difficult cases, such as teeth with narrow or
blocked canals, or unusual anatomy. Endodontists may use advanced
technology, such as operating microscopes, ultrasonics and digital
imaging, to perform these special services, and often have great
experience in successfully treating patients who present in pain.
Patients requiring root canal therapy are either referred by their
general dentists to the endodontist or are self referred; the most
common procedure done in endodontics is root-canal therapy.
Other procedures practiced in endodontics include incision for drainage,
internal tooth bleaching to fix teeth that have blackened because of
infiltration of decayed soft tissue into the dentin in the teeth - most
often seen in incisors that have been injured through a sudden impact,
and periradicular surgery (apicoectomy); the more radical treatments
generally are needed in cases of abscesses, root fractures, and
problematic tooth anatomy, but may be indicated in treating teeth that
have persistent root end pathosis following root canal treatment.
All of our offices
offer Endodontic treatment. Please
visit the location pages for more information on those offices. If
you already have a General Dentist in another office we will be happy to
coordinate care with one of our Specialists.
