Where is the root?
Below the natural crown, within the bony tooth socket.
← All explanationsTooth root
What lies beneath the visible tooth crown?
The tooth root is the part of a natural tooth anchored within its socket. It consists mainly of dentine and is covered by cementum. Root canals run inside it; supporting fibres connect the root to the surrounding bone.
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Anchorage below the crown
A tooth may have one or more roots. They lie in the socket and are supported by the periodontium.
Hard outside, a canal inside
Dentine forms most of the root. Cementum covers its outside, while canals contain pulp tissue in an untreated vital tooth.
The root is not just a nerve
Root canal treatment treats the canal system. The natural root itself usually remains and continues to anchor the tooth.
At a glance
What does it do?
Together with the surrounding supporting tissues, it anchors the tooth.
Why does the distinction matter?
Treating the root canal does not automatically mean removing the tooth root.
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Often confused
Tooth root or root canal?
The root is an anatomical part of a tooth. A root canal is a space within that root.
Quick answers
Does every tooth have just one root?
No. The number and shape depend on the tooth and individual anatomy.
Is the root removed during root canal treatment?
Usually not. The canal system inside the retained root is cleaned and filled.
Is the outside of the root covered by enamel?
No. Its surface is typically covered by cementum; enamel covers the natural crown.
At the practice
For your consultation
A question to discuss with Dr. med. dent. Niusha Barahmand Pour:
Which parts of my tooth are affected, and what can be preserved?
At the practice, the findings, personal wishes and possible next steps are discussed through a consultation and examination.
Questions about the structure of an affected tooth can be explained using your findings.
Discuss your tooth findingsChoose an appointment on DoctolibLearning for dental trainees & teamsUnderstand clinical terms and build your knowledge
Build on the simple explanation with clinical terms, key distinctions and a knowledge question.
- Radix
- The Latin word for root.
- Apex
- The tip of the tooth root.
- Root canal
- The space within a root containing pulp tissue or, after treatment, a root filling.
Know the difference
The canal system lies within the tooth root; the two terms do not mean the same thing.
Sources for further learning
Sources and context
Editorial research: 23 October 2026. This explanation covers general principles and does not replace a personal examination. Suitable treatment is discussed following individual assessment.