Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Endodontics

Endodontics is a dental specialty that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and surrounding tissues. The dental pulp is the soft tissue inside a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Endodontists are dental specialists who have completed additional training in this field after dental school.

One of the main procedures performed by endodontists is root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, which is used to save a damaged or infected tooth. During a root canal, the endodontist removes the infected or damaged pulp from the tooth, disinfects the inside of the tooth, and fills it with a material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed with a filling or crown to protect it and restore it to function.

Endodontists also perform other procedures such as apicoectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the tip of the root of a tooth, and treatment of dental trauma, and retreatment of previous endodontic treatment that were not successful.

Endodontics plays a significant role in healthcare by preserving natural teeth and preventing the need for more extensive and expensive dental procedures, such as tooth extraction and replacement with an artificial tooth. It also helps in reducing dental pain and maintaining the overall oral health.