By now, most people know that a root canal is neither painful nor stressful. This routine procedure actually improves oral comfort and can save your tooth. But patients still want to know how much time to set apart for their appointment. In other words: how long does a root canal take?

How Long Does a Root Canal Take?

The short answer: 30 to 90 minutes. Most root canals will fall somewhere within this time frame. But a root canal procedure can vary dramatically from patient to patient. Below, we cover a few factors that influence procedure duration.

Anesthetic

Most patients will only need numbing injections for a root canal. These are the same as what is used for a routine dental filling. However, the injections can take some time to take effect. Usually, this takes about 10 to 30 minutes. We want to ensure you are fully numb before moving forward.

Additionally, patients with dental anxiety may want additional sedation. When this takes the form of oral medication, it can add some time to the treatment. Depending on the dose and your metabolism, it can take 20 to 60 minutes to reach full effects.

Depending on how you feel, your dentist may wait to start until you feel fully relaxed. Openly discuss with your dentist how you feel at each stage.

Reason for a Root Canal

Most patients need a root canal due to the inner tooth becoming infected. This usually implies that the tooth also has a notable amount of decay. All of this decay will need clearing out during your procedure, which can take time.

However, some patients may need a root canal due to a crack in their tooth. This crack may have exposed the inner pulp to bacteria but not yet led to an infection. However, this may require less preparation for the treatment. Since a crack is usually from an injury, it does not necessarily mean you have tooth decay. So your dentist can get straight to clearing out the pulp and sealing the tooth.

Complexity of the Procedure

Root canal therapy counts as a general dentistry procedure. That said, it can still vary in complexity. The anatomy of the tooth’s root canal can vary from tooth to tooth. Additionally, the anatomy can vary between patients. Some patients may have a tooth anatomy that lends itself to a simpler procedure. Others may have the opposite.

Number of Teeth Treated

In most cases, a dentist prefers to treat one tooth at a time. However, this might not always be viable for root canals. In severe cases, a root canal can count as a dental emergency. So, putting off treatment simply is not an option.

Treating multiple teeth will certainly add extra time to your visit. However, if your smile needs it, then that is the best solution. Sometimes, waiting even an extra day can put your tooth at risk of dying.

Type of Sealant

After clearing out the tooth, your dentist will need to seal it back up. The sealing step prevents bacteria from getting back into the interior of the tooth.

In some cases, your dentist may use a resin-based material similar to a dental filling. This works best for patients with less damage to their tooth. It will match the color of your tooth, ensuring it does not stand out.

Other patients may need a dental crown to cover the tooth. However, this usually is only for patients who had more notable tooth damage or decay. The crown will look like your natural tooth and fit over what remained of your tooth. It will look great while also providing structural stability to your tooth.

Waiting for Your Crown

If you will have a dental crown, you will likely need one additional visit to our office. This is because we custom-make each crown in a dental lab. You will receive a temporary crown to protect the tooth. Then, you can return in about 1 week for your permanent crown.

Dentist Skill

An experienced dentist will be able to work more confidently and efficiently. However, they also will never rush your appointment. Rushing a root canal can contribute to the sealed tooth eventually failing. Faster does not mean better. However, skill and experience do contribute to a smoother, shorter root canal experience.

A Top-Tier Provider of Root Canal Therapy

Shodhan Dentistry of Yucaipa is a local hub for oral health. Our top-rated dentist is here for all your oral health care needs, from root canals to wisdom teeth removal.