Root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to remove infected or inflamed pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels). The treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or trauma to the tooth. A root canal helps save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
During the procedure, the endodontist removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and then seals it to prevent recontamination.