Root canal stages?!

Root canal stages?

My second molar has broken badly and doc suggests a root canal. I had my first visit with him couple of days ago. He drilled into the tooth and cleaned it out. I have to return next week to him.
I've heard that a root canal is extremely painful. But haven't experinced any pain yet. what whould be the stages for the treatment? and when is the pain worst?

Thanks for your help!

Well, ideally you won't experience any pain during the root canal. So far you are experiencing the "best case scenario".

Some people do have a "hot tooth" (a badly infected tooth that is hyperemic and difficult to numb), and yes those can be painful. Those are the "worst case scenario."

Since you asked for it, here are the stages of a root canal (warning: technical descriptions ahead):

STEP 1: Pulpectomy (removing the pulp) if the tooth has a nerve in there. The dentist drills the hole and uses a file (the thing that looks like a long pin) to pull out the infected nerve.

STEP 2: Cleaning and shaping. Chlorine bleach and a series of files are used to clean and gradually enlarge and shape the canal to a specific conical shape so it can be plugged up.

STEP 3: Obturation (plugging up the canal). Either gutta percha points (orange pieces of a rubberlike material) or an injectable theromplastic material is stuffed into the cleaned canal along with a sealer paste to plug it up. The seal will ensure germs can no longer get into the canals. Once sealed up, the root canal therapy procedure is complete.

After waiting for a week or two to make sure there are no symptoms (pain or recurring infection), the tooth is ready to receive a post, core buildup, and a crown.

Hope this helps!