root canal

American  

noun

Dentistry.

1. Also called pulp canal.  the root portion of the pulp cavity.

2. Informal. root canal therapy.

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root canal British  

noun

1. the passage in the root of a tooth through which its nerves and blood vessels enter the pulp cavity

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Etymology

Origin of root canal

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The researchers found several encouraging changes in patients after successful root canal treatment.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

Pressure is building on Mr. Johnson to bring the House back to start over, a prospect almost as appealing as a root canal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Both ultimately understood that the other’s priorities deserved respect, be it Anna’s rock band practice or Tess’ root canal.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

Unlike a typical root canal, the dental experts went in through the bottom of Rico's tooth.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

"A monochrome Jackson Pollock," Jane says, and then tells Tiny, "We gotta bolt. This band is like a root canal sans painkiller."

From "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan