Your dentist has just told you that you need a root canal. Your heart skipped a beat and your head is full of questions: Will it hurt? How long does it take? What exactly are they going to do?
These worries are completely normal. Most patients who come to us at m2stoma in Brno for endodontic treatment feel the same way. And that’s exactly why we’ve put together this guide — so you know what to expect at every step. No surprises, no stress.
After reading, you’ll know exactly how the procedure works, why each step is done and what to expect afterwards.
Want to ask a few questions first? Come in for a no-obligation consultation at m2stoma Brno.
What is endodontic treatment and when do you need it?
Endodontic treatment (commonly called a “root canal”) is a procedure in which the dentist removes the inflamed or infected nerve (the dental pulp) from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and then seals them tightly. The goal is to keep your own tooth as a fully functional unit in your mouth.
Treatment is indicated when:
- deep tooth decay reaches the nerve,
- the tooth suffers an injury or cracks,
- repeated procedures on the same tooth irritate the pulp to the point of inflammation.
The aim of the treatment is to eliminate bacteria from the infected canal, prevent reinfection and preserve the natural tooth. Your own tooth is always better than any replacement — and modern endodontics can save it with a success rate of over 90%.
The procedure in 7 steps – what to expect in the chair
1. Diagnosis and X-ray
Before anything else, we take a diagnostic X-ray of the tooth. It shows us the number and shape of the root canals, the extent of the inflammation and the state of the surrounding tissues. The whole treatment plan is based on this image.
What you feel: Nothing — the X-ray is quick and painless.
2. Local anaesthesia
Before we touch the tooth, we apply local anaesthesia. The tooth and the surrounding area are reliably numbed and you feel no pain throughout the procedure. In 2026, we have modern anaesthetics that act quickly and precisely.
What you feel: A small sting when the injection is given, then nothing.
3. Isolating the tooth with a rubber dam
We place a thin rubber sheet over the tooth — a rubber dam. It looks a little unusual, but it serves an important purpose: it prevents saliva from contaminating the canals and protects your throat. It also keeps you comfortable — you don’t have to swallow any disinfecting solutions.
What you feel: Mild pressure when it’s put on, then you forget it’s there.
4. Opening the tooth and removing the damaged pulp
The dentist removes the decayed material and creates access to the inside of the tooth (a so-called trepanation). The inflamed or dead nerve is then removed from the crown of the tooth. At m2stoma we work under an operating microscope — we can see structures that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
What you feel: Thanks to the anaesthesia, nothing. You hear the sound of the drill, but no pain.
5. Cleaning and disinfecting the canals
This is the key step. Using special endodontic instruments (both hand and rotary files) we shape the canals along their entire length. The length is measured electronically with an apex locator — accurate to tenths of a millimetre. At the same time, we rinse the canals with disinfecting solutions that destroy bacteria even in microscopic recesses.
What you feel: Nothing painful. Occasionally a gentle vibration of the instruments.
6. Filling the canals
The cleaned and disinfected canals are filled with gutta-percha points and a liquid sealer. The material hardens inside the canal and creates a hermetic seal — no bacteria can get back in. We check the result with a final X-ray.
What you feel: No pain.
7. Restoring the tooth
The final step is rebuilding the tooth. Depending on the extent of the damage, we either place a direct restoration with composite material or recommend a prosthetic crown. A crown restores the tooth’s original shape, strength and appearance — an endodontically treated tooth then serves you fully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does endodontic treatment take?
It depends on the number of canals in the tooth. A front tooth with a single canal can be treated in 40–60 minutes. A molar with 3–4 canals can take 60–90 minutes. At m2stoma we aim to complete treatment in a single visit whenever the condition of the tooth allows.
How many appointments are needed?
In most cases, one or two visits are enough. In acute inflammation with swelling, it may be necessary to first calm the inflammation with medication and only fill the canals at a second visit. According to the clinical guidelines of the European Society of Endodontology (ESE, 2023), the decision on the number of visits is made on an individual basis.
Is it better to extract the tooth or treat the canals?
Whenever possible, we recommend keeping your own tooth. Extraction may be quicker, but you then have to deal with a replacement — an implant or a bridge. An endodontically treated tooth can serve you for decades, or even a lifetime.
How do I look after the tooth after treatment?
For the first few days, avoid hard foods on the treated side. After that, care for the tooth like any other — regular brushing, interdental brushes, preventive check-ups. If the tooth has a crown, it is practically indistinguishable from a healthy one.
Conclusion
Endodontic treatment in 2026 has nothing in common with the bogeyman of the past. Modern anaesthesia, the operating microscope, rotary instruments and thorough disinfection turn a “root canal” into a predictable, painless procedure with a success rate of over 90%.
Your own tooth is worth saving. And we at m2stoma Brno have the technology and the experience to save it.
Don’t hesitate — book your appointment.
Zdroje
Dodds RN et al. – Outcomes of Primary Root Canal Therapy: An Updated Systematic Review (2022) – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9322405/
Incidence of Postoperative Pain After Single-Visit and Multiple-Visit Root Canal Therapy – BMC Oral Health (2024) – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-024-05412-1
Duncan et al. – ESE S3-Level Clinical Practice Guidelines: Treatment of Pulpal and Apical Disease (2023) – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iej.13974
American Association of Endodontists – Guide to Clinical Endodontics – https://www.aae.org/specialty/clinical-resources/guide-clinical-endodontics/
American Association of Endodontists – Root Canal Treatment – https://www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/