Endodontics deals with the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. If this tissue has become diseased or injured, endodontic treatment is required to save the tooth. Some of the standard procedures performed in endodontics are:
- root canal therapy
- incisions for drainage
- internal tooth bleaching to fix teeth that have blackened
- periradicular surgery (apicoectomy)
Endodontists are dentists specializing in root canal therapy. They will remove the damaged pulp which fills the root canals, clean the canals, and fill the canals with a special material to preserve the tooth. General dentists are trained to perform routine root canal treatments, but endodontists are qualified to treat complex cases that require advanced expertise and special instruments. Such cases include:
- abscesses
- fractured and chipped teeth
- teeth that have been knocked out of the mouth
- teeth with irregular roots.
To qualify for this specialty typically requires an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school.
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