A root canal is the space within the root of
a tooth. It is part of a naturally occurring space within a tooth
that consists of the pulp chamber (within the coronal part of the
tooth), the main canal(s), and more intricate anatomical branches
that may connect the root canals to each other or to the surface of
the root.
The smaller branches, referred to as accessory canals, are most
frequently found near the root end (apex) but may be encountered
anywhere along the root length. There may be one or two main canals
within each root. Some teeth have more variable internal anatomy
than others. This space is filled with a highly vascularized, loose
connective tissue, the dental pulp.
The dental pulp is the tissue of which the dentin portion of the
tooth is composed. The dental pulp helps complete formation of the
secondary teeth (adult teeth) one to two years after eruption into
the mouth. The dental pulp also nourishes and hydrates the tooth
structure which makes the tooth more resilient, less brittle and
less prone to fracture from chewing hard foods. Additionally, the
dental pulp provides a hot and cold sensory function.
Root canal is also a colloquial term for a dental operation,
endodontic therapy, wherein the pulp is cleaned out, the space
disinfected and then filled.