Endodontics
ENDODONTICS IS THE PRACTICE OF REMOVING OR TREATING DENTAL PULP INSIDE OF THE TOOTH. THE PULP CONTAINS NERVES AND BLOOD VESSELS, AND CAN BECOME DAMAGED AND INFECTED DUE TO DECAY OR INJURY.
Endodontics (also referred to as Root Canal Treatment) becomes necessary when the pulp – the inside of the tooth that house the blood and nerve supply – is infected through injury or decay. When infected, the pulp has to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading to the gums and surrounding bone tissue, causing agonizing pain.
The aim of endodontics is to save the tooth, as the only other option would be to extract the tooth. After the infected pulp is removed, the root canals are cleaned out and sealed up to prevent future infections in that area of the mouth.