Root canal therapy is a procedure to treat a damaged or diseased tooth, relieving pain and making the tooth healthy again. Inside the tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth during its development. Root canal therapy is performed when the pulp becomes infected or damaged. During a root canal, the pulp is removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. It is relatively painless and extremely effective.

The first step in the procedure is to take an X-ray to see the shape of the root canals and determine if there are any signs of infection in the surrounding bone. Many different reasons can cause bacteria to go directly to the pulp; the most common of which is decay or a crack in the tooth.