root canal

noun

: the part of the pulp cavity lying in the root of a tooth

also : a dental operation to save a tooth by removing the contents of its root canal and filling the cavity with a protective substance

Examples of root canal in a Sentence

I need to have a root canal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of my teeth have had root canals because bad teeth seem to be a family trait. —Bunnie Riedel, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2024

And most of my root canal teeth are covered in crowns. —Bunnie Riedel, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2024

The team worked with outside dental consultants to surgically repair the cougar’s jaw, then performed a root canal on the upper right canine a month later, officials said. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 15 May 2024

Besides, a tooth that has already lost a significant portion of its natural structure to decay, cavity preparation or root canal instrumentation becomes weak, with limited longevity. —Samer Zaky, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

root canal

noun

: the space in the root of a tooth that contains soft sensitive tissue

also : a dental procedure to save a tooth by removing this tissue when diseased or injured and filling the space with a protective material

Medical Definition

root canal

noun

1

: the part of the pulp cavity lying in the root of a tooth

called also pulp canal

2

: a dental operation to save a tooth by removing the contents of its root canal and filling the cavity with a protective substance (as gutta-percha)