root canal

American  

noun

Dentistry.

• root canals
  plural

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

2. Informal. root canal therapy.

---

root canal British  

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• root canals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of root canal

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

root canal

“One car survey showed customers would rather have a root canal than negotiate a car at a dealership,” said Jesse Toprak, a former automotive analyst who now runs OptiCar.AI, an online marketplace for cars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

That can mean someone needing two crowns, root canal work and three filings, for example, would generate the same number of points as someone needing just a single crown.

From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026

It is vital that dental professionals recognize the wider impact of these root canal infections and advocate for early diagnosis and treatment.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 15, 2026

Researchers followed participants for two years after their root canal procedures.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 15, 2026

“Your dad scheduled a root canal at five P.M., so we won’t be home until later.”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed