A root canal, also referred to as endodontic treatment, is a procedure during which a dental specialist removes soft tissue from within a tooth that has become infected or inflamed. This tissue, called dental pulp, contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that feed the tooth’s root and keep it healthy. When the dental pulp of a tooth becomes damaged or begins to deteriorate—as the result of damage to the tooth, broader infection, or extensive decay—it can cause a very painful pus-filled pocket (abscess) at the root of the tooth. The only way to relieve the pain, save the tooth, and prevent reinfection is with a root canal procedure.