DANB General Chairside Practice Test

Which dental specialty primarily involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the pulp?

1. Orthodontics

2. Periodontics

3. Endodontics

4. Oral and Maxillofacial surgery

The correct answer is: Endodontics

Endodontics is the dental specialty that focuses specifically on diagnosing and treating diseases impacting the dental pulp, which is the innermost part of a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. Endodontists are trained to perform procedures such as root canals, which are necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to trauma or cavities. Their expertise lies in treating the tissues that are within the tooth structure, ensuring that tooth vitality is preserved whenever possible. In contrast, orthodontics deals primarily with the alignment of teeth and the correction of bite issues, periodontics focuses on the health of the supporting structures of the teeth, such as gums and bone, and oral and maxillofacial surgery addresses broader surgical concerns involving the mouth, jaw, and face, including extractions, jaw realignment, and trauma management. Each of these specialties plays a critical role in comprehensive dental care, but when it comes to issues specifically related to the pulp, endodontics is the definitive specialty.