Technically speaking, a root canal is the space within a tooth where the nerve and blood supply is housed. You’ve probably heard the term “getting a root canal” - this is a procedure to remove the nerve from a tooth so the space inside the tooth can be disinfected and permanent filled. Typically, our dentists perform this procedure to address an infection or trauma that has caused the nerve of the tooth to become infected and die off. Root canal therapy means the patient can keep the tooth, as opposed to the alternative option which is likely to be an extraction.