Endodontics

Endodontists are specially trained to diagnose and treat problems with the insides of the teeth, including the soft tissue known as dental pulp. The most common endodontic procedure is the root canal, although endodontists also perform procedures to correct cracked and split teeth, re-treat previous procedures that have not healed properly, and diagnose oral and facial pain.

Root canals are performed to save a tooth when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, cracks, chips or other injuries. Other, surgical endodontic procedures are helpful in a number of situations, including the diagnosis of fractures that are too small to appear on x-rays, the cleaning and sealing of calcified teeth, the extraction and replacement of damaged teeth (intentional replantation), and the removal or repair of bone or dental root. The most common of these last procedures is the apicoectomy or removal of the tip of the root.