Endodontics

Nowadays, thanks to modern dentistry we can save the majority of the teeth, which were In the past referred for extraction. It became possible due to the fast development of the dental field called endodontics. Endodontics deals with root canal treatment. “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth”. Endodontics is the area of dentistry dealing with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the dental pulp. The pulp is the soft connective tissue that is located inside the tooth structure. It contains nerves, arteries, veins, and lymph tissue. It is contained in pulp chamber and root canals. The pulp plays vital role during the tooth development and maturation. When the pulp is diseased or injured and unable to repair itself, it becomes infected by bacteria and dies. The most common cause of pulp disorders is caries. If the carious cavity is left untreated it destroys the hard tissues of the tooth: enamel and dentin creating the gateway for bacteria. It leads to bacterial attack on the tooth pulp. The pulp becomes necrotic. Often the pus build up at the root tip, forming an abscess that can destroy the bone surrounding the tooth. It usually causes pain.
 

There are many symptoms suggesting the need for the root canal treatment:

- spontaneous pain or throbbing.
- pain while biting or chewing
- Sensitivity to hot and especially cold
- Severe decay or injury leading to pulp damage or necrosis

Endodontic treatment is the removal of the diseased pulp tissue and the following filling of the root canals by biocompatible material, usually gutta-percha. The whole treatment is performed under local anaesthesia, thought it is completely not painful. The endodontics treatment includes a few steps:

- An initial X-ray is taken. After application of anaesthesia, the canal system is thoroughly cleaned and the infected pulp is removed.
- The pulp chamber and root canals are rinsed, enlarged, and shaped to a form that can be filled and sealed later. The lengths of the roots’ canals is determined, which requires another X-rey. These procedures are performed using manual or mechanical instrumentation in the form of special files.
- A temporary filling is placed to protect the tooth between visits. There can be some discomfort in the area of the tooth for day or two.
- During the following visit the root canals are filled and sealed. This completes the endodontics treatment.

In the light of the modern research the principle of the endodontics treatment is the maximal reduction of the number of visits. The ideal is the completion of the whole endodontics treatment during one appointment. In that way the risk of secondary infection of the root canals by mouth bacteria is minimalized.

Followimg completion the tooth will need to be restored. Due to the large amount of tooth structure usually lost from decay and old fillings the preferred restoration is the crown. The cost of the endodontics treatment depends on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. The treatment of the root canal system of the moral teeth is time consuming and complicated, that is why the fee is usually more. More dental insurance provide some coverage for endodontics treatment. Generally, endodontics treatment and restoration of the natural teeth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted and replaced by bridge or implant.