Root canal treatment, or endodontics, is a procedure where a dentist or an endodontist (a specialist in root canal therapy) accesses the tooth through the crown, removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the canals, and fills the canal system. A rubber-like material called gutta-percha is used to seal the canals, preventing re-infection. Finally, the crown of the tooth is restored with a tooth-colored filling material.