In short: A root canal usually takes one or two appointments of about 60–90 minutes each. Front teeth with a single canal are quicker; back molars with several canals take longer. Afterwards a crown is often fitted in a separate visit. Your dentist will tell you what to expect for your specific tooth.
The time a root canal takes depends mainly on which tooth is being treated and how complex it is, but here’s a realistic picture:
- The appointment length is usually about 60 to 90 minutes.
- Front teeth have a single root canal, so they’re generally quicker and can often be completed in one visit.
- Back teeth (molars) have multiple canals (three or four), so they take longer and may need two visits.
- The number of visits also depends on the level of infection — a badly infected tooth is sometimes treated over two appointments, with medication placed inside in between to help clear the infection.
After the root canal itself, the tooth usually needs a crown to protect it (root-treated teeth become brittle). Fitting the crown is a separate appointment, so the overall treatment from start to finished crown may span a few weeks, even though the root canal part is just one or two visits.
Modern techniques have made root canals faster and more predictable than in the past, and the whole thing is done comfortably under local anaesthetic.
Your dentist will assess your particular tooth and give you a clear idea of how many visits and how long it will take before starting.
If you need a root canal, book a root canal treatment with us and we’ll explain the exact plan for your tooth.