What dental process primarily focuses on minimizing discomfort during procedures?

The correct answer is anesthesia, as it is specifically aimed at minimizing discomfort and pain during dental procedures. Anesthesia can be local, topical, or general, and it's used to numb the area being treated to ensure that patients do not experience pain during procedures such as fillings, extractions, or root canals. By administering anesthesia, dental professionals can perform necessary treatments while keeping the patient comfortable and relaxed, which is essential for a positive dental experience.

Endodontics, while it may involve procedures that require anesthesia (such as root canals), primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases of the dental pulp and surrounding tissues. Restorative dentistry is concerned with restoring the function and aesthetics of teeth but may not always focus solely on minimizing discomfort, as it encompasses a variety of treatments. Orthodontics deals with the alignment of teeth and jaws and does not directly concentrate on reducing discomfort during procedures.