Endodontics

Endodontics (from Greek: endo – “inside”; odonto – “tooth” and “ia” – action), commonly known as root canal treatment, is one of the branches of dentistry responsible for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting the dental pulp and periapical tissues (around the root of the tooth), with the aim of preserving the tooth in the mouth.

Various types of lesions can affect the dental pulp. Deep dental caries, fractures, trauma, excessive wear, and periapical pathologies may require this type of treatment in order to preserve the affected teeth.

Endodontic treatment, commonly referred to as root canal therapy, involves the removal of the dental pulp or, in cases where it is necrotic, the removal of its remains, followed by the disinfection of the root canals where the pulp was located and the subsequent filling of these canals with biocompatible materials (gutta-percha and sealer cement), in order to seal the space left by the pulp chamber and canals, maintaining them airtight.

This procedure can be carried out in one or more sessions, depending on the complexity of the case. Afterward, the tooth structure should be restored using restorative materials (composite resin or amalgam) or even a crown.

A tooth that has undergone this type of treatment is not immune to new caries, and cases of endodontic failure may still occur, requiring retreatment.