A root canal is a procedure done to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. The canal is filled with a rubber like substance called gutta–percha with a cement to sealed the canals and prevent recontamination of the tooth.

The tooth might need a post and a crown made of porcelain or metal alloy to give more resistance and avoid a future fracture to the treated tooth. This enables patients to keep the original tooth.