(1) the means by which painful or diseased teeth, in which the pulp is involved, are restored to a healthy state; (2) removal of a normal, diseased, or dead pulp by biochemical and mechanical means, enlargement and sterilization of the root canal, followed by filling the canal, to effect healing of diseased periapical tissues; (3) the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pulp and their sequelae. SYN: endodontic treatment.