The Speciality of Endodontics
Endodontics deals with an aspect of dentistry that focuses on diseases of the innermost portions of the tooth (the pulp-dentin-complex) and the surrounding tissues (the periapex). These diseases can be acute or chronic infections of the pulp (blood & lymph vessels or nerve and connective tissue) or the tooth-bone interface (periodontium).
The term Endodontics stems from the Greek “endodont” (endo = inner, odont = tooth) and literally means “that which is in the tooth”. The most common procedure performed in endodontics is root canal treatment.
In cases where an initial treatment is insufficient, a “retreatment” may be required. Additionally, a microsurgical ”apicoectomy” may also be performed in order to save the tooth.