Endodontics 1028619 219576564 2008-06-15T22:29:36Z 82.47.166.176 [[Image:ProgressOfDecay.gif|thumb|If decay progresses to the first stage, a small filling will be required. If decay develops to the third stage depicted, root canal therapy will be required.]] '''Endodontics''', from the Greek ''endo'' (inside) and ''odons'' (tooth), is a specialist sub-field of [[dentistry]] that deals with the [[pulp (tooth)|tooth pulp]] and the tissues surrounding the root of a [[tooth]]. The pulp (containing [[nerve]]s, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue and fibrous tissue) can become diseased or injured, and is often unable to repair itself; if it dies, endodontic treatment is required. '''Endodontists''' are [[dentist]]s who have specialized in this field; qualification as an endodontist typically requires an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school. Many endodontic residents do original research and earn a [[Master's degree]] as well as a speciality certificate. They specialize and limit their practice to [[root canal therapy]] and root canal surgery, and use their special training and experience in treating difficult cases that are referred to them by general dentists who opt not to perform these cases, such as teeth with narrow or blocked canals, or unusual anatomy. Endodontists may use advanced technology, such as operating microscopes, ultrasonics and digital imaging, to perform these special services, and often have great experience in successfully treating patients who present in pain. Patients requiring root canal therapy are either referred by their general dentists to the endodontist or are self referred; the most common procedure done in endodontics is [[root-canal therapy]]. It is important to note that most general dentists are trained to address a variety of patients' endodontic needs, and thus most root canals are performed by general dentists. Other procedures practiced in endodontics include incision for drainage, internal [[tooth bleaching]] to fix teeth that have blackened because of infiltration of decayed soft tissue into the dentin in the teeth - most often seen in [[incisor]]s that have been injured through a sudden impact, and periradicular surgery ([[apicoectomy]]); the more radical treatments generally are needed in cases of [[abscess]]es, root fractures, and problematic [[tooth anatomy]], but may be indicated in treating teeth that have persistent root end pathosis following root canal treatment. ==See also== *[[Root canal]] *[[Journal of Endodontics]] *[[Oral surgery]] *[[Dental dam]] *[[American Association of Endodontists]] ==External links== Organizations: *[http://www.aae.org/ American Association of Endodontists] *[http://www.aae.org/certboard/ American Board of Endodontics] *[http://www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk/ British Endodontic Society] *[http://www.caendo.ca/ Canadian Academy of Endodontics] *[http://www.e-s-e.org/ European Society of Endodontology] *[http://www.ifeaendo.org/ International Federation of Endodontic Associations] Publications: *[http://www.endodonticsjournal.com/ Journal of Endodontics Research (JofER)] *[http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/iej International Endodontic Journal] *[http://theendoblog.blogspot.com/ The Endo Blog] {{Endodontology}} {{dentistry}} [[Category:Dentistry branches]] [[Category:Occupations|Dentist]] [[Category:Medical terms]] [[Category:Endodontics]] [[bg:Ендодонтско лечение]] [[de:Endodontie]] [[es:Endodoncia]] [[fr:Endodontie]] [[nl:Endodontische tandheelkunde]] [[ja:歯内療法学]] [[pl:Endodoncja]] [[pt:Endodontia]] [[sr:Ендодонција]] [[fi:Endodontia]] [[sv:Endodonti]]