This is a procedure that has been dreaded by so many and misunderstood by even more. Dreaded because it is always thought that when someone is having a so called "root canal", it is the procedure that causes much discomfort. The truth is in most cases, when a "root canal" is needed, it is usually due to severe decay which has reached the nerve within the tooth structure. When this occurs, the infection to the nerve can cause severe pain even before the tooth is even treated. The procedure is misunderstood also because the term "root canal" describes the chamber the nerve resides in. The correct term is actually "pulpectomy" which means the removal of nerve tissue from a tooth. In most instances when an individual has a tooth ache due to decay infecting the nerve, a pulpectomy is performed resulting in the tooth taken out of pain and having a new lease of life. A tooth that has had a pulpectomy and restored with a crown can usually be used for many more years. How long the crown and tooth will last will depend on the diet and the oral care.