Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry, but also the most misunderstood. While many people view them as “scary,” the truth is that a root canal is an effective treatment to stop pain and save your tooth.

So what is a root canal? When a tooth becomes infected, it’s usually related to the nerves in the root of your tooth. These infected nerves need to be removed. Left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that leads to missing teeth and bone loss in your jaw.