Teeth are made of several different parts. Deep inside the tooth is a soft area called pulp. Dental pulp is made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. These run from the center of the tooth, down through the roots, and into the rest of the mouth. The “root canal” is the passageway the pulp takes on its way to the jaw.
Sometimes the tissues inside this canal get inflamed or decayed. It can happen because of cracked or broken enamel, which leaves the insides exposed. It can happen because of injury and trauma to the tooth. But whatever the reason the inflammation occurs, the tissue needs to be treated.
Root canal treatment is very similar to getting a cavity filled. The best way to fix the root of a tooth is to clean it out and seal it with a gentle filling material.
