How long does a root canal take?

Root canal treatment usually takes one to three appointments, often an hour or more each, depending on the tooth and how complicated the case is. Soreness around the tooth afterwards generally eases within about two weeks. With a crown fitted afterwards and reasonable care, the treated tooth can last many years.

In short

• Treatment usually takes between one and three appointments, depending on the tooth and how complicated the case is.
• A molar with several root canals generally takes longer than a front tooth with a single canal.
• Each appointment can last an hour or more.
• Soreness or tenderness around the tooth generally eases within about two weeks.
• With good care, and often a crown fitted afterwards, the treated tooth can last a long time.

This article is part of the root canal treatment information on this site for patients in Cape Town.

How many appointments does root canal treatment usually take?

Most root canal treatment is completed over one to three appointments. At the first, the infected or damaged pulp is removed and the canal is cleaned and reshaped, and the tooth may be sealed temporarily or left to drain, depending on its condition. Later appointments complete the cleaning, fill the canal permanently, and seal the tooth. Each appointment can last an hour or more, since the tooth must be kept clean and free of saliva throughout, and a straightforward case on a simple tooth sometimes needs only one visit, while a more complicated case is planned over two or three. Each appointment is carried out under local anaesthetic, and Is a root canal painful? covers what you can expect to feel during that time.

Why does a molar take longer than a front tooth?

A front tooth generally has a single root canal and is relatively quick to treat, while a molar can have three or four canals, each of which must be found, cleaned and shaped individually. A curved canal, or a tooth being retreated after an earlier root canal, also adds time, since it takes more care to clean thoroughly. This added complexity is also one of the main reasons the fee for treating a molar is usually higher than for a front tooth; see How much does a root canal cost in Cape Town? for what else affects it.

How long does healing take afterwards?

The area around the tooth may feel swollen or sore for a few days after each appointment, and this generally settles within about two weeks. Everyday pain relief, taken as directed, usually controls this. Treatment takes longer overall than simply having the tooth removed, though Is a root canal better than an extraction? explains why keeping the natural tooth is usually worth that extra time and the extra appointments.

Does the tooth need a crown afterwards, and how long does that last?

A tooth is often more brittle after root canal treatment, particularly a back tooth, so a crown is frequently recommended to protect it from cracking under normal chewing force. This is a separate appointment and a separate piece of treatment from the root canal itself. See How long does a dental crown last? for what affects how long that protection lasts.

How do I reach Dr Davies?

Dr Davies treats adults and children at BRS Dental, on Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre, and can explain roughly how many appointments a particular tooth is likely to need after an examination. To make an appointment, call her directly on her own mobile, which is shown on this page. This page gives general information and does not replace an examination.