What is the focus of the Endodontics specialty?

Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that primarily concentrates on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the dental pulp and the surrounding tissues. This specialty is chiefly concerned with issues such as pulpitis (inflammation of the dental pulp), apical periodontitis (infection at the root tip), and various pulp and periapical diseases.

By focusing on the health of the dental pulp, endodontists perform procedures such as root canal therapy, aimed at saving teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted due to infection or decay that has reached the pulp. Understanding this focus allows dental professionals to effectively diagnose and treat patients experiencing tooth pain or other issues stemming from pulp damage or disease.

The other choices relate to different areas of dentistry, such as oral disease diagnosis and treatment for restoring and moving teeth, which are outside the scope of Endodontics.