What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that treats infection or inflammation inside the tooth pulp. The pulp is the inner area of the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue. When this area becomes infected from deep decay, trauma, cracks, or repeated dental work, root canal treatment may be needed.
During root canal therapy, the dentist removes infected tissue, cleans the canals inside the tooth, and seals the tooth to protect it. This process helps stop infection, relieve pain, and preserve the natural tooth structure.
Patients searching for what is a root canal or what happens during a root canal are often concerned about pain. Modern root canal therapy is designed to make treatment comfortable while addressing the source of the problem.