What Endodontics Is
Every tooth has a soft interior: a pulp chamber containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that formed the tooth during development. This tissue runs through canals extending from the pulp chamber down through each root. Endodontics addresses conditions that affect this interior structure, most commonly infection and inflammation caused by deep decay, trauma, or cracks that allow bacteria to reach the pulp.
The goal of endodontic treatment is to save the natural tooth by removing the source of infection, sealing the canals against reinfection, and restoring the tooth to full function. When endodontic treatment is successful, a treated tooth can last as long as a natural one.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is the most common endodontic procedure and the one most patients encounter. It involves removing infected or inflamed pulp tissue, cleaning and shaping the canal system, sealing it, and then protecting the tooth with a crown.
Most endodontic needs at Musso Family Dentistry are handled in-house, without a referral to an outside endodontist. This keeps your care coordinated and your records in one place.
For detailed information about what to expect from root canal treatment, visit our Root Canal Treatment page.