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Definition and History ofEndodontics

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Definition• Endodontology

Endodontology is the branch of dentistryconcerned with the study of form (Anatomy),function and health of (Physiology), injury to anddiseases of (Pathology) the dental pulp andperiradicular region and their treatment.

Its study and practice encompasses the basicclinical sciences including biology of the normalpulp, the eatiology, diagnosis, prevention, andtreatment of the diseases and injury of the pulp,and associated periradicular conditions (stock et al-1997).

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Endodontic treatmentEndodontic treatment encompasses any procedure

designed to maintain the of all, or part of the pulp,such as,

1. Diagnosis of oral pain,2. Protection of healthy pulp from disease or injury,3. Pulp capping (both direct and indirect),4. Pulpotomy (both conventional and partial),5. Pulpectomy,6. Root canal treatment of infected root canals,7. Surgical endodontics (apicectomy, hemisection, root

amputation, replantation and endodontic implants)(Pittford – 1997).

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Indirect Pulp Capping

If the thickness of dentine is <5mm Ca(OH)2 sub lining and ZnO/E dressingshould be placed. Most effective material preventing microbial leakage

LCC and GIC cause more damage to odontoblasts (Gulabivala-2004)

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Direct Pulp Capping

Post operative complications of restorations are, Marginal staining, dentine hyperSensitivity,, corrosion and degradation, secondary caries, pulp inflammation and deathSuccess rate of pulp therapy is 85--90% (Gulabivala-2004).

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Pulpotomy

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Apexogenesis

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Historical overview• “Worm theory” toothache and alveolar abscesses -

ancient Chinese and Egyptian records.• Ancient Romans and Greeks - pain relieved by

cauterization with either a hot needle or boiling oil anddrilling into the pulp chamber.

• In 1602, Pieter van Foreest - suggested tooth bedrilled and the pulp chamber filled with theriak.

• In 1687 Charles Allen - first book on dentistry inEnglish and discussed tooth transplantation andmummification of pulp with phenol.

• In 1728 Pierre Fauchard – pulp extirpation using smallpin and filed with lead foil application of clove oil andopium for deep carious lesions (Wijerathne 1999).

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• In 1867 Bowman introduced gutta-percha points forfilling root canals.

• 19th century - bacteriological basis - infected pulp ascentres of infection and the formation of dento-alveolarabscesses as its sequelae.

• In 1884 Koller introduced local anaesthesia.• In 1895 The discovery of x-rays by William c.

Roentgen.• “Focal infection theory” - William Hunter in 1910.

lasted nearly 30 years.• In 1920 Arthur B Crane - the first book on endodontics

titled “A practicable root canal technique” (Wijerathne1999).

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• 1930s,function of a tooth depended on the periodontaltissue and not on the vitality of the pulp.

• In 1931 “Hollow tube theory” marked a new era intoresearch on endodontics.

• 1958 - Standardization of endodontic instrument.• In 1950s - the resection of the root apex immediately

after filling the canals.• In 1959 Sargenti and Richter introduced N-2 to the

dental profession.• In 1966 by Torneck - implanted polyethylene tube sterile

autoclave muscle /infective muscle.• “Bhasker,s theory” - 1968 epithelium of a cyst is

punctured, resolution of the bone will occur(Wijerathne 1999).

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