How Long Does a Root Canal Take?

There are several factors that will determine the length of your procedure, including how severe your decay is, what type of tooth and how many teeth need to be worked on, and whether you prefer to have the appointment taken care of in one longer appointment, or multiple, shorter appointments.

Historically, root canal procedures required two appointments, but due to advancements in technology and improved surgical methodologies, root canals can now be performed with greater efficiency and greater effectiveness. Depending upon your particular case, you can expect your appointment to last roughly 30-60 minutes for single canals, and 60-90 minutes for multiple canal treatments.

Single Appointment

Patients who qualify or opt for single appointment root canal procedures likely have an affected tooth whose pulp is not completely decayed. One of the biggest benefits to having the procedure performed in one visit is that there is less time involved. That said, the actual individual appointment may run longer than several shorter appointments. Because of this longer individual procedure, patients suffering from TMJ or patients who easily become anxious during dental visits may prefer to schedule two shorter appointments.

Neither approach is better than the other, so be sure to communicate your preference with your dentist.

Multiple Appointments

If you are experiencing tenderness, swelling, or pain at your preliminary appointment, there is a greater likelihood your dentist will schedule you for a multi-visit treatment. This pain or tenderness is likely caused by the fact that your teeth have experienced a greater level of decay and prolonged infection in the tooth and surrounding bone. Your dentist may also schedule multiple appointments if the tooth or teeth that need to be addressed have multiple roots or if they are difficult to reach.

For multi-visit treatment plans, your initial appointment will focus on cleaning and shaping the root canal. At your next appointment, which generally takes place one week later, the canal will be filled and sealed.

Which Approach is Right for Me?

There is research that suggests a multi-visit approach may be slightly better, because taking this approach allows your dentist to use calcium hydroxide between appointments, but most research states that the benefits and efficacy of a single visit versus multiple visits come down to each particular patient case. The most important thing is that you have an open and honest conversation with your dentist about which approach is best for your particular case.

What is the Success Root of Root Canal Procedures?

Fortunately, 95%+ of all root canal procedures are successful. Your dentist will take X-rays of your teeth before and after your procedure to determine if proper healing is taking place. Provided the treatment is a success, you should be able to continue enjoying your repaired tooth indefinitely, so long as you continue practicing good oral health care and scheduling regular dentist visits. These visits are especially important because, following a root canal, you will have less sensitivity to the development of cavities in that tooth, and your dentist will be able to monitor and spot any problems before they develop.

Learn More About Root Canals : What is a Root Canal?