Root canaltherapy refers to the process by which a dentist treats the inner aspects of a
tooth, specifically that area inside a tooth that is occupied by its "pulp tissue." Most people
would probably refer to a tooth's pulp tissue as its "nerve." While a tooth's pulp tissue does
contain nerve fibers it is also composed of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connective
tissue. Dentists realize that on a practical level it is pretty much academic whether a tooth
has a live nerve in it or not. If a tooth's nerve tissue is present and healthy, wonderful. But if
a tooth has had its nerve tissue removed during root canaltreatment that's fine too, you
will never miss it.