Before you undergo root canal treatment, you will need a dental examination, followed by an X-ray to get an idea of the severity of the infection and to see how many root canals the tooth in question has.
Next, the dentist will be able to tell you exactly what will be involved for your case, talking you through the procedure in detail. They will do this to put you at ease and allow you to make an informed decision about going ahead with the procedure. If you do, you will need to sign a consent form. This is normal and precedes most dental treatments.
Sometimes a root canal procedure can be completed in a single session, but if your case is especially complex, treatment may take longer.