Dental endodontics is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on the examination and care of periapical tissues and dental pulp. This area of dentistry focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect the teeth’s pulp, roots, and periapical tissues. These procedures entail treating the pulp, which is the tooth’s inside and where the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue are located.
Endodontic procedures come in various forms and are intended to treat multiple tooth conditions. Each technique has a specific goal and advantages, from common root canal therapy to more specialized procedures like apicoectomy and pulpotomy.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a standard endodontic procedure that involves the removal of the dental pulp and filling of the root canal to treat tooth-borne infections and save the natural tooth. The dentist or endodontist will gently extract the affected pulp from the tooth’s inside during the operation and clean up any bacteria or debris. Root canal therapy aims to treat the infection, lessen the pain, and prevent natural tooth extraction.
Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy
Depending on the degree of infection or damage to the tooth pulp, two more endodontic treatments, pulpotomy, and pulpectomy, may be carried out. During a pulpotomy, the healthy and important tissue is left in place, and just the affected area of the tooth pulp is removed. The dental pulp is completely removed from the tooth during a pulpectomy, on the other hand.
Apicoectomy
A dental technique called an apicoectomy, sometimes referred to as root-end surgery, is used to preserve a tooth when a root canal treatment is insufficient to clear up an infection or correct a dental issue. It is often taken into account when traditional root canal therapy has failed due to an ongoing infection or issues at the tooth’s root tip.
Cracked Tooth Treatment
Treatment for cracked teeth depends on the severity and location of the crack. The dentist may advise softening the rough edges and using a dental bonding substance to restore the tooth’s appearance and function when the crack is small and does not extend into the pulp.
A root canal procedure can be required to remove the injured tissue and stop infection if the break is more severe and extends into the pulp. After that, a dental crown is often set in place to reinforce and protect the tooth. When tooth cracks severely and cannot be repaired, removing the tooth and replacing it with an implant or bridge may occasionally be necessary.