Endodontics

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is the field of dentistry that deals with the prevention and treatment of disease in the pulp (nerve) and surrounding supporting tissues. Endodontics can be translated as “knowledge of what is inside the tooth”. In the interior of the teeth there is pulp containing soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels. In case of pulp disease, the most common treatment is root canal treatment.

The endodontist has a 3-year specialist education in the professional field to treat teeth that need to be rooted, surgical treatment related to root canal filling or patients with pain. In addition to the control and treatment of teeth damaged by trauma (fall, stroke or the like).

The field of study borders on other dental disciplines such as cariology, oral microbiology, prosthetics and surgery.

Endodontic treatment

At the first consultation, several x-rays are taken in order to be able to diagnose the tooth and root canals in the best possible way. Then the specialist carefully explains the treatment, prognosis of the tooth and whether the tooth needs to receive prosthetic treatment after the end of endodontic treatment.

The root treatment is carried out with good anesthesia and most often with mechanical rooting instruments. It is important to work in sterile conditions, so during treatment, the tooth is isolated from the bacteria in the oral cavity with a rubber cloth (suitcase dust cloth). The root canal can be performed in the same or subsequent treatment session, depending on the diagnosis. It is informed of this in connection with the review of treatment.

In the aftermath of treatment, it is common to experience transient light soreness. In rare cases, there may be pain and sometimes even a swelling. Consult the specialist if the pain persists or the swelling becomes greater, it may be appropriate to provide additional treatment in such cases.

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The endodontist will send an epicrisis (report) to the referring dentist after the end of endodontic treatment. The epicrisis describes what treatment has been performed and about the expected prognosis. The referring dentist will finalize the tooth and follow up with checks of the rooted tooth. The root canal needs to be followed up with annual X-ray checks for 5 years.

Rooting of teeth is considered a very safe form of treatment. Most of the treatments performed by the endodontist are successful. Research shows success rates of up to 95% (depending on diagnosis). Exceptionally, the tooth must receive another form of endodontic treatment after the end of the root canal.