endodontics

Endodontics is a dental specialty focusing on the dental pulp and periradicular tissues. It covers diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries affecting these tissues. The central procedure is nonsurgical root canal therapy, in which infected or inflamed pulp is removed, the root canal system is cleaned, shaped, disinfected, and obturated with a biocompatible seal to prevent reinfection. The discipline also includes pulpotomy and pulpectomy for primary teeth, retreatment of failed root canal therapy, and surgical endodontics such as apicoectomy and lesion curettage when nonsurgical treatment cannot resolve disease. Regenerative endodontics seeks to restore vitality in immature teeth using stem cell–based or tissue engineering approaches.

Diagnosis relies on patient history, clinical examination, and tests of pulp sensibility, percussion, and palpation, supported by radiographs. Cone-beam computed tomography is used in complex cases. Treatment decisions depend on tooth viability, anatomy, infection status, and patient factors. Materials include gutta-percha for obturation, endodontic sealers, and biocompatible repair materials such as mineral trioxide aggregate and bioceramic sealers. Modern practice emphasizes disinfection, atraumatic technique, and rubber dam isolation. Outcomes vary and depend on infection control, tooth structure, occlusion, and restoration quality. Endodontics is practiced by general dentists with advanced training or by endodontists who complete specialty education and board certification.