A root canal is a common dental procedure used to save a severely decayed or infected tooth by removing the nerve and pulp, cleaning the inside, and sealing it. Without treatment, the infection can spread and lead to an abscess. The only alternatives for a badly damaged tooth are either root canal therapy followed by restoration or complete extraction.

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Root canal treatment has been used safely for over a century and has greatly improved with modern techniques. It allows patients to keep their natural tooth and avoid removal. After the procedure, a tooth typically requires a crown or core build-up to protect and strengthen it, as it becomes more brittle without the natural nerve and blood supply. A filling alone is often insufficient, so a crown is recommended to preserve the tooth long-term.