Plan on two or more appointments of one to two hours each.
NHS guidance says root canal treatment usually takes 2 or more appointments lasting 1 to 2 hours, sometimes longer, with a temporary filling between visits. The steps are numbing, removing the infected pulp, cleaning and shaping the canals, then filling and sealing the tooth. Molars sit at the long end of that range because they have more canals and trickier anatomy; front teeth are quicker. A crown often follows, which is a separate appointment. Afterward, numbness lasts a few hours and soreness can take a couple of weeks to fade.
What to do
Common questions
How long does a root canal take?
Usually two or more appointments of one to two hours each, though a straightforward front tooth can sometimes be finished in one visit. The NHS says the treatment usually takes two or more appointments, each lasting one to two hours or sometimes longer, with a temporary filling between visits. What happens in that time: the tooth is numbed, the infected or inflamed pulp inside is removed, the canals are cleaned and shaped, and then the space is filled and sealed. Back teeth take longer because molars have more canals, three or four, and some are curved or narrow. If the tooth was badly infected, the dentist may leave medicine inside and finish at a second visit, and a crown is often recommended afterward to protect the now-brittle tooth. Your jaw and face can stay numb for several hours afterward, and the area may feel sore for a couple of weeks while it settles. If a temporary filling breaks or pain flares badly between appointments, call the dental practice rather than waiting for the next slot.