An endodontically treated tooth refers to a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment, which is a specialized dental procedure involving the removal of the dental pulp and subsequent sealing of the tooth's root canal system. This type of treatment is typically performed to save a tooth with a deep decay that has reached the pulp, a severe infection, or significant damage due to trauma.
During an endodontic procedure, the dentist or endodontist carefully removes the infected or inflamed dental pulp from within the tooth and cleans and shapes the root canal system. Following this, the root canal(s) of the tooth are sealed with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha to prevent recontamination and to ensure the tooth's strength and function.
Once an endodontic treatment is completed, the tooth is commonly referred to as an endodontically treated tooth. Although the dental pulp is removed, the tooth can still perform its normal biting and chewing functions as it remains anchored to the jawbone like any other natural tooth.
Furthermore, as the pulp is no longer present, endodontically treated teeth may become more brittle over time. To reinforce and protect them, a dental crown is often recommended to provide additional support and minimize the risk of fracture. This restoration helps restore the tooth's appearance, functionality, and ensures its longevity.
Overall, an endodontically treated tooth is a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure to remove infected or damaged pulp, followed by the sealing of the root canal system with gutta-percha.
