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root canal
noun
: the part of the pulp cavity lying in the root of a tooth
also
: a dental operation to save a tooth by removing the contents of its root canal and filling the cavity with a protective substance
Examples of root canal in a Sentence
I need to have a root canal.
Recent Examples on the Web
The polls show that many Americans perceive this contest with the distress reserved for root canals or colonoscopies.
—Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Biden also had a basal cell carcinoma skin lesion removed in March, and a root canal procedure in June.
—Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
This can also escalate into bigger problems, like the need for root canals and crowns, or tooth loss.
—Advertorial, Orange County Register, 5 Jan. 2024
In an attempt to distract Stone during the root canal, her dentist talked all about her work in prisons.
—Vulture, 11 Nov. 2023
One person is in charge of a root canal, someone else is setting the broken foot, another person is working on a displaced shoulder, and still another is getting rid of a gallstone.
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
That might mean fewer expensive root canals or implants later, but skeptics also worry that more aggressive treatments will increase patients’ bills without a clear clinical benefit.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
The Casino star recalled experiencing a seizure after getting anesthetized for a root canal.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
On the flip side, a dentist who keeps pressuring you into unnecessary procedures or leaves you in the dark about how painful a root canal actually is can be enough to scare you off for good.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 19 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'root canal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1864, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near root canal
Cite this Entry
“Root canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root%20canal. Accessed 5 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
root canal
noun
: the space in the root of a tooth that contains soft sensitive tissue
also
: a dental procedure to save a tooth by removing this tissue when diseased or injured and filling the space with a protective material
Medical Definition
root canal
noun1
: the part of the pulp cavity lying in the root of a tooth
called also pulp canal
2
: a dental operation to save a tooth by removing the contents of its root canal and filling the cavity with a protective substance (as gutta-percha)
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