Our teeth are composed of soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels (pulp). Occasionally, this pulp can become infected and consequently inflamed and we must resort to endodontics.
Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that studies the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp (nerve). This treatment consists of removing, totally or partially, the pulp of the tooth and sealing the pulp canal. In this way, we are able to regenerate bone loss caused by infections of pulp origin. In addition, endodontics allows us to keep teeth in the mouth that would otherwise have to be extracted.
How is endodontics performed?
To carry out the endodontic treatment it is necessary to anesthetize the area to be treated (to ensure the success of the treatment we need it to be done in a completely aseptic way). Subsequently, we make an opening in the crown of the tooth to be treated in order to access the canal where the central pulp is located, extract it and perform the cleaning before carrying out the filling and subsequent sealing of the same with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha.
The main cause of this infection and inflammation is the existence of caries, although there are also other factors that can cause pulpitis or pulp lesion. Trauma, abrasion, erosion and wear of the teeth by rubbing against each other are other causes that directly affect the need for endodontics.
Risks of endodontics
As far as risks are concerned, an endodontically treated tooth can become darker and has a higher risk of fractures, since we have to take into account that 90% of the teeth that undergo this treatment have major cavities or fractures, so that their remaining healthy tooth structure is scarce.
Advantages of endodontics
Despite the risks, it has many advantages, such as keeping our natural teeth that would otherwise be extracted. In addition to avoiding the loss of the bone that supports the tooth, as well as the mobility and displacement of adjacent teeth. The treatment also eliminates dental infections and dental consequences such as halitosis.