Within the teeth, under the dentin is a layer of tissue called the pulp. This is necessary while the teeth are still growing since it nourishes the teeth as they grow but teeth can still survive without the pulp when they are fully grown.
The pulp can get infected for a number of reasons, one of them being tooth decay. Infected pulp can infect the surrounding gums and neighbouring teeth, so if your dentist recommends a root canal treatment, consider getting one as you could potentially be saving all of your teeth.
In a Root Canal Therapy, the infected pulp is removed from the tooth by drilling a hole through the crown to access the pulp. The pulp chamber is cleaned with very small instruments, after which it is shaped and filled to seal the pulp chamber. Your teeth will function just like any of your other teeth after the procedure, although it may feel different for a few days afterwards.
