What is endodontic treatment ?

Root canal: With severe decay, teeth roots can become infected, requiring root canal surgery, the more common name for endodontic treatment.

Treatment of pulp: Usually endodontic treatment means you need a root canal. Endodontic treatment can be other things as well such as apexification, or diagnosing fractures or reversable pulpitis to name a few.

Root Canal: Endodontic literally means "inside tooth". In modern dentistry this discipline of dentistry involves the diagnosis and treatment of infections and other diseases that arise from, or directly affect the nerve inside the tooth.

Taking the nerve out: Inside a tooth is a canal system containing a nerve artery & vein....It gives nourishment & feeling to a tooth. When that system or space inside a tooth is vioated (entered), an infection ensues. To remedy this, the space is emptied & filled (sealed) from any external environment. Now the tooth is not a source of pain or infection. Like a pencil (tooth), the lead (nerve) is removed & replaced.

Infection Control: Endodontic treatment is the process of removing an existing infection from a space within the tooth called the canal. Various instruments and medications are used to clean and shape this area. Once accomplished the space (a pathway from the mouth to the jaw bone) needs to be blocked to prevent reinfection. An inert material is place to seal this pathway followed by a new filling to seal the tooth.