A root canal is a canal in the middle of the tooth which houses the nerves and blood supply to the tooth. Sometimes that nerve has to be removed due to pain or damage and sometimes the nerve has simply died and the space has become infected (an abscess). In those situations a very precise treatment-endodontics or root canal therapy-is undertaken under very strict treatment protocols. Local anaesthetic is given and a rubber dam (a protective covering for the tooth during treatment) placed over the tooth. Careful measurements are made of the shape of the particular root canal being treated and its length. It is shaped and disinfected before being filled up with special root canal filling materials. After this process the tooth can be restored.
Many people have great apprehension when needing root canal therapy and this usually relates to treatment done many years ago which could be prolonged and painful. Using modern techniques these days treatment is very much easier.