What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is the branch of
dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human
dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the
basic and clinical sciences including the biology of the normal pulp and the
etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the
pulp and associated periradicular conditions.
The scope of endodontics includes, but is not limited to, the
differential diagnosis and treatment of oral pains of pulpal and/or periapical
origin; vital pulp therapy such as pulp capping and pulpotomy; nonsurgical
treatment of root canal systems with or without periradicular pathosis of pulpal
origin, and the obturation of these root canal systems; selective surgical
removal of pathological tissues resulting from pulpal pathosis; intentional
replantation and replantation of avulsed teeth; surgical removal of tooth
structure such as in root-end resection, bicuspidization, hemisection and root
resection; root-end filling endodontic implants; bleaching of discolored dentin
and enamel (teeth); retreatment of teeth previously treated endodontically; and
treatment procedures related to coronal restorations by means of post and/or
cores involving the root canal space.
What is an endodontist?
An Endodontist is a dentist
with two or more years of advanced training in the scope of endodontics who has
received a certificate in endodontics from an advanced education program
accredited by the ADA Commission on Dental Accreditation and who limits his or
her practice to endodontics. (Dentists who limited their practice to endodontics
prior to recognition of the specialty in 1963 are also recognized as
endodontists.) The endodontic specialist is responsible for the advancement of
endodontic knowledge through research, the transmission of information
concerning the most recent advances in biologically acceptable procedures and
materials, and the education of the public as to the importance of endodontics
in keeping the dentition in a physiologically functional state for the
maintenance of oral and systemic health.
