Endodóntico

Endodóntico, or endodontics, is the dental specialty that deals with diseases of the dental pulp and the surrounding periradicular tissues. Its primary goal is to diagnose, prevent, and treat conditions affecting the inside of the tooth, with the aim of preserving natural dentition whenever possible.

The scope includes non-surgical root canal therapy, pulp capping, pulpotomy and pulpectomy, retreatment of failed root canals, and surgical endodontics such as apicoectomy and periapical surgery. Regenerative endodontics is an evolving area for immature teeth with necrotic pulps. Endodontic treatment may be performed on both primary and permanent teeth.

Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, pulp vitality tests, radiographs, and sometimes cone-beam computed tomography. Treatment planning considers tooth vitality, anatomy, infection, and periodontal status. Procedures emphasize isolation with a rubber dam, careful cleaning and shaping of the root canal system, irrigation with agents such as sodium hypochlorite and EDTA, and obturation with gutta-percha and sealer.

Materials and techniques vary, including nickel-titanium rotary instruments, obturation methods such as lateral condensation or warm vertical compaction, and bioceramic or resin-based sealers. Outcomes depend on infection control, proper sealing, and tooth structure; success rates are generally favorable in suitable cases and may improve with advances in imaging and materials.

Endodontics requires postgraduate training beyond dental school for many practitioners, and practitioners are commonly referred to as endodontists when focusing on complex cases. The field seeks to relieve pain, eliminate infection, and preserve natural teeth.