About Your Tooth

Your tooth is made of two main components: the crown, which is the part you can see above the gumline, and the root or roots, which extend below the gums and are supported by the surrounding bone. Inside each root is a narrow channel that runs from the top of the root to the tip. This space is called the root canal and contains the pulp, which is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue. The pulp can become permanently damaged by decay, deep restorations, cracks, trauma, or periodontal problems.

To save a tooth affected in this way, the damaged pulp must be removed. This process is known as endodontic therapy. Because treatment focuses only on removing the pulp from inside the root canal, the root itself remains functional since the supporting structures around the tooth stay healthy. Taking out the injured pulp helps prevent infection and eliminates irritation to the tissues around the tooth, allowing it to continue functioning normally.