title: Rethinking root canal treatment: understanding the difference between preventing and treating endodontic infection.
abstract: Root canal treatment is a frequently performed procedure aimed to address pulpal and peri-radicular disease. It comprises a number of clinical steps regardless of the initial diagnosis. The emphasis of each step varies according to whether there is a vital pulp (non-infected) or if the pulp system contains necrotic, infected tissue and there is peri-apical pathology. This article aims to discuss the differences in performing root canal treatments on teeth with vital and non-vital pulps. The reader should understand the differences between performing a root canal treatment in teeth with vital pulps and those with infected root canal spaces and peri-radicular pathology.
authors.affiliation: University of Jordan 70 Ellesmere Road, Altrincham, Cheshire.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El-Ma'aita
authors.forename: A J E
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Qualtrough
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Darcey
authors.affiliation: 1] School of Dentistry, The University of Manchester 70 Ellesmere Road, Altrincham, Cheshire [2] Simplyendo, 70 Ellesmere Road, Altrincham, Cheshire.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome