There is a hollow space inside your tooth and root called root canal space and it is filled with soft tissue (nerves and blood vessels) that we call the pulp. If your pulp becomes infected through a deep cavity or exposed through a fracture, you will need a root canal. A root canal is when we make a small hole in the top of your tooth into the space and remove the pulp. Depending on the size of the infection, it can be a one or two appointment process. We’ll start by getting the tooth numb, making the hole, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and filling everything back up with sterile filling material. Most teeth will need a crown after a root canal to structurally reinforce your tooth and prevent it from cracking and needing to be pulled.