What is endodontic treatment and why is it necessary?
Endo” is the Greek word for “inside”, and “odont” is Greek for tooth. Endodontic treatment specifically treats problems associated with the inside of the tooth. To fully understand this, it helps to know a little about the anatomy of a tooth. Every tooth is covered on the outside by very hard, white, material called enamel. Inside of this is a deeper material called dentin, also hard but less so than enamel. At the center of the dentin is a hollow space than extends from the “crown” of the tooth, or the part that you see in the mouth, all the way down to the tips of the roots within your jaw. In this hollow space is living tissue called the “dental pulp” containing blood vessels and nerves. Once your tooth is fully formed, this tissue does not play as active of a role but remains to give you feedback on when you are biting too hard, and when things are hot or cold etc. Since this tissue is not critical to your tooth during your adult life, the tooth can actually survive almost unchange
Related Questions
- If it is necessary to evacuate me to another country and I can receive treatment on an outpatient basis, will MEDEX pay for my lodging, meals, and travel costs to and from the medical facility?
- Is a referral from a Primary Care Physician necessary to begin treatment?
- What is endodontic treatment and why is it necessary?
