An emergency root canal is called an endodontic procedure. During the root canal, your dentist will thoroughly flush out the tooth roots and the tooth pulp to remove all decayed matter and bacteria. The tooth is then disinfected and then carefully sealed with a special material to keep food particles and more bacteria from re-entering the void. You may also get a crown or filling to ensure the tooth remains intact and clean. You can generally expect the root canal procedure to take approximately 1-2 hours total, but the actual amount of time will vary depending on how many teeth are affected, the extent of the infection, and any other concerns that arise during the procedure.