Endodontics

Endodontics

• Endodontics is the branch of Dentistry that deals with the etiology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues.

Objectives of Endodontics

• The objective of endodontic therapy is to restore the treated tooth to its proper form and function in the masticatory apparatus in a healthy state.

Scope of Endodontics

• Differential diagnosis of oral pain of pulpal and/or periradicular origin
• Vital pulp therapy
• Nonsurgical treatment of root canal systems of pulpal origin
• Obturation of root canal systems
• Endodontic Surgery
• Retreatment of teeth previously treated endodontically
• Treatment procedures related to coronal restorations by means of post and/or cores involving the root canal space.

Endodontic Course Outline

• Morphology and Access Cavity
• Endodontic Instruments
• Cleaning and Shaping
• Root Canal Obturation

Pulp Space Morphology

• Components of root canal system
• Classifications of Root Canal System (Classes and Types)
• Pulp space Morphology of Different teeth
• Principles of Coronal Access Cavity Preparation
• Errors during endodontic cavity preparation
• Problem solving in endodontic cavity preparation.

Components of the Root Canal System

• Pulp Chamber: The portion of the pulp within the crown
• Root Canal: The portion of the pulp within the root
• Apical foramen: an aperture at or near the apex of the root

Morphological Features of the Pulp Cavity

• Roof of pulp chamber
• Wall of pulp chamber
• Floor of pulp chamber
• Size of the pulp chamber decreases by age and irritation of the pulp.

Pulp Horns

• Accessory canal: any branch of the main pulp canal or chamber that communicates with the external surface of the root
• Lateral canal: an accessory canal located in the coronal or middle third of the root
• Furcation canal

Apical Root Anatomy

• Apical Constriction (Minor Diameter): the narrowest diameter short of apical foramina or radiographic apex
• Apical Foramen (Major Diameter): the main apical opening on the surface of root canal through which blood vessels enter the canal
• Isthmus: a narrow, ribbon-shaped communication between two root canals that contains pulp or pulpally derived tissue.

Classifications of Root Canal System

• Weine Classified root canal anatomy into six types
• Type I: A single canal extends from the pulp chamber to the apex
• Type II: Two separate canals leave the pulp chamber and join short of the apex to form one canal
• Type III: One canal leaves the pulp chamber and divides into two then merge to exit as one canal
• Type IV: Two separate distinct canals extend from the pulp chamber to the apex
• Vertucci Classification
• Type I: Two or three canals with no communications
• Type II: Two canals with a definite connection between them
• Type III: Three canals with a definite connection between them
• Type IV: Canals extend into the isthmus area
• Type V: A true connection or corridor throughout the section