Endodontic procedures, i.e., root canal treatment, is a dental procedure used to treat a tooth that has a damaged or infected pulp (the soft inner tissue of a tooth). The pulp can become infected or inflamed due to various reasons, such as deep decay, a cracked or chipped tooth, or repeated dental procedures on the same tooth.
During a root canal procedure, a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist) removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and then fills and seals the space. This helps to prevent further infection and saves the tooth from extraction.