What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on treating the pulp of a tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
When the pulp becomes infected due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or trauma, root canal treatment becomes necessary to save the tooth and relieve pain.
Bacteria that penetrate into a tooth can cause swelling and pressure, making a toothache extremely painful. With direct access to the root canal, the infection spreads quickly. Without proper treatment, it can ultimately destroy the tooth entirely.
Endodontic treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the root canals, and then fills and seals the space. Most teeth can last a lifetime after treatment when cared for properly.
Don't Ignore Warning Signs
If left untreated, a dental infection can spread to the rest of the body. While this is extremely rare, a patient could die from a severely infected tooth. At the very least, the infection will spread throughout the jaw, causing more teeth to need root canals, crowns, or even extractions.
