"Endo" is the Greek word for ‘inside’ and ‘odont’ is the Greek for ‘tooth’. Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the roots. The pulp is important during a tooth's growth and development. Once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, a blow to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. Signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discolouration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes there are no symptoms.

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp before carefully cleaning and shaping the inside of the tooth, then filling and sealing the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist who will then place a crown or restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothache caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anaesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection prior to the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Endodontic treatment can be performed in one or two visits and involves the following :-

The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anaesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a "dental dam" over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.

The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.

After the space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called ‘gutta-percha’. This is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is set in place to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.

After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.

If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.