HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which dental term refers to the final step of root canal treatment?

1. Endodontic therapy

2. Restoration

3. Pulpotomy

4. Extraction

The correct answer is: Restoration

The final step of root canal treatment is best described by the term 'Restoration.' After the endodontic therapy, which involves the cleaning and shaping of the tooth's root canals, a restoration is necessary to restore the tooth's function and aesthetics. This typically involves placing a filling material to seal the canals and prevent bacteria from re-entering, and often includes a crown to protect the tooth from future damage. In contrast, endodontic therapy refers to the entire procedure of treating the inside of the tooth, including the removal of infected pulp tissue. A pulpotomy is a specific treatment where only a portion of the pulp is removed, typically in cases involving deciduous teeth or while waiting for a definitive treatment. Extraction, on the other hand, refers to the complete removal of a tooth, which is not a step in root canal treatment. Therefore, restoration is the appropriate term for the final step that completes the process of saving the tooth.