Human: I'm going to have to get a root canal done. What should I expect? Assistant: 
You should expect that the dentist will numb your tooth and then drill into it, remove any decay or infected tissue, and fill the space with a special material called gutta-percha. The dentist may also need to use an endodontic file to clean out the canals and shape them for the filling. After this is completed, the dentist will likely place a temporary filling in your tooth and schedule you for a follow up appointment.