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

“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

A successful root canal may provide benefits that extend beyond saving a tooth.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

I was like: “Do I need a root canal? Can you take a tooth out? Something’s wrong.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 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