How long does a root canal take?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
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
- Block off half a day per appointment; 1 to 2 hours in the chair is normal.
- Expect 2 visits or more, with a temporary filling between them.
- Chew on the other side until the permanent filling or crown is in place.
- Ask about a crown early for a back tooth; it protects the treated tooth from cracking.
- Call the practice if the temporary filling breaks or pain flares between visits.
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