{"id":424,"date":"2022-03-04T08:58:37","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T07:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alexander.clinic\/wat-is-endo\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T13:00:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T11:00:18","slug":"what-is-endodontics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alexander.clinic\/en\/what-is-endodontics\/","title":{"rendered":"Endo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Endodontics refers to a dental treatment. Most people visiting an endodontist do so to have the nerves of a tooth removed: a root canal treatment.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Often this is the best and only way to save the tooth.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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What is endodontics?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The word endodontics is derived from ancient Greek and consists of two parts: endon [within] + od\u014dn [tooth]. Although the name endodontics encompasses an entire field of specialized dental surgery, the vast majority of people will see an endodontist for a root canal treatment.
 
An endodontist brings relief from the agonizing pain caused by an abscess or infected dental nerve. Pain relief is achieved by completely removing the nerve from the root canal. Therefore endodontics is virtually a synonym for root canal treatment or root canal therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 
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When do I need to see an endodontist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Roughly speaking there are four routes to our dental chair: (1) an abscess, which is an infection at the root of a tooth causing pressure, and hence pain; (2) an unfortunate, nasty fall or a fierce bar brawl that ended up exposing the nerve of a tooth; (3) an infected tooth nerve by grinding your teeth, a deep dental filling or dental crown and bridgework; (4) a retreatment, sometimes years or decades after you had an issue in one of the categories above.
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Most of our patients are referred to us by their own dentist. Do you feel the need to swing by on your own accord? That\u2019s a bit odd. One might suspect you have a tooth fetish. Even if you were not referred to us by your own dentist, we might be able to help you. So, you\u2019re welcome if you book an appointment, just as all the other patients do.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What are the 10 steps of an endodontic treatment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Step 1 \u2014 Briefing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imagine you were to see your urologist or gynecologist and that he or she immediately \u2014 without any warning or information whatsoever \u2014 invites you on the treatment table and shoves a camera or speculum in your body. That would be absurd. In our dental care clinic, we value clear and concise information, too. Before we begin, we make ample time to inform you about the endodontic treatment procedure and are happy to answer all your questions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Step 2 \u2014 Anesthetics, yay!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Good grace it\u2019s the third millennium: we have great anesthetics at our disposal, which ensures the root canal treatment is virtually painless for most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 3 \u2014 Prep work:
positioning a rubber dam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Any root canal treatment requires a rubber dam. This is a necessary tool for the procedure. It creates a barrier to isolate the tooth we\u2019re working on: it protects the tooth we\u2019ll be working on against any infected saliva and it prevents endodontic irrigants from going places they need not be.
 
Often, the rubber dam provides a sense of security. It feels as if we\u2019re working \u2018outside\u2019 the mouth. A small minority of our patients feels uncomfortable when the rubber dam is put in place. We\u2019ll make sure to check you\u2019re okay. In very rare cases we will have to stop the procedure due to anxiety or claustrophobia. If need be, we can reschedule the appointment and prescribe tranquilizing medication. That should do the trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 4 \u2014 Creating the access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creating access to the root canal of a tooth is a noisy endeavor. But don\u2019t be alarmed. It\u2019s perfectly normal to experience vibrations, trembles, and jitters. It\u2019s inevitable: your teeth are the hardest material in your body and we\u2019re making our way to its root. You can moan, groan, or raise your hand to communicate.
 
Don\u2019t be surprised by the unpleasant smell in this phase of the procedure. An abscess or an infected tooth does not bring forth the aroma of an orchid or a blossoming butterfly tree. Quite the contrary: it can smell quite pungent. That\u2019s nothing to be ashamed of, it\u2019s just a phase we\u2019ll have to get through together. <\/p>\n<\/div>

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Step 5 \u2014 Measuring and removing the nerve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not every tooth has the same number of nerves. The endodontist maps the number of roots that need to be treated using a specialized cone beam CT-scanner when needed. Then the nerves are measured and removed, and the root canal is emptied out completely. This is precision work.
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This is the only step in the procedure that might cause a painful sensation. If need be, we provide additional anesthetics to make things as comfortable as possible for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After this phase we can reward you for your courage and endurance: if you fancy it, we can show you the removed nerves. But only if you promise not to faint. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Step 6 \u2014 Cleaning the tooth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the most vital step of the procedure: removing all impurities down to the very tip of the root canal. All infected tooth structure and infected pulp will be removed. For this procedure of pulpal debridement, we use diluted sodium hypochlorite. This smell of this product might come across as unpleasant, but it helps to eliminate lingering bacteria and rinses the root canals.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Step 7 \u2014 Filling the root canals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After a thorough rinse, the root canals are filled with a bio-ceramic sealing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Step 8 \u2014 Temporary filling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most cases we will place a temporary filling to close the opening. This filling will be removed and replaced by your regular dentist when the tooth is restored. Your dentist will discuss the specifics of your dental treatment plan with you and will include the specifics in the referral letter. In case of emergency treatments, it\u2019s common to opt for temporary fillings, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Step 9 \u2014 Protective crown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your own dentist might want to add a crown to the tooth, too. This protects your tooth and restores its full function. Please be advised by your own dentist.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Step 10 \u2014 Check-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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After a complex trauma we might need to perform a check-up. These are scheduled 10 to 12 months after the original treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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What is endodontics? The word endodontics is derived from ancient Greek and consists of two parts: endon [within] + od\u014dn [tooth]. 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