Root canal therapy is a highly effective treatment designed to save a tooth that has become infected or severely damaged. When the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth) becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, a crack, or trauma, root canal therapy is necessary to remove the infection and preserve the tooth. During the procedure, the infected pulp is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and the tooth is sealed with a filling or crown. Root canal therapy can alleviate pain, prevent further infection, and save your natural tooth from extraction.