Root canal therapy (also called endodontic therapy) corrects disorders of the pulp or nerve of the tooth. From the outside the tooth looks like a hard, solid substance. In fact, it is a complex system of specialized tissues. Generally speaking the tooth is made up of three parts. The CROWN is the part of the tooth you see in the mouth and is used to chew your food. The ROOT is the part of the tooth that sits in the bone below the gum. It is about twice as long as the crown and anchors the tooth in the bone socket. The PULP TISSUE is located inside the root of the tooth which is a hollow structure. This soft tissue is composed of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The pulp provides nourishment for the tooth and is what makes the tooth vital or alive. It is commonly called "the nerve".

Root canal therapy or endodontic treatment becomes necessary when the pulp tissue becomes inflamed or infected. It involves removing of the damaged pulp tissue and replacing it with an inert material called gutta percha.