Which tooth it is
Front teeth usually have one canal. Molars can have three or four, and their roots can curve.
More canals mean more time in the chair.
How bad the infection is
An active infection can mean two visits. Your dentist may place medicine in the tooth and let it settle before sealing it.
Whether the tooth had treatment before
Re-treating an old root canal takes longer. Your dentist first removes the old filling material.
A typical timeline
- First visit Your dentist numbs the tooth, removes the infected pulp and cleans the canals.
- Between visits A temporary filling seals the tooth while any infection settles.
- Second visit Your dentist finishes cleaning, then fills and seals the canals.
- Crown visit Many back teeth get a crown a few weeks later.
Some teeth are finished in one visit. Your dentist will tell you which plan fits yours.
What can slow healing
- A large infection or swelling at the start
- Grinding or clenching your teeth
- Chewing hard food on the tooth before the crown goes on
- Missing your follow-up visit
Tell your dentist if you have diabetes or take medicine that affects healing.
Pain between visits
Some tenderness when you bite is common for a few days.
Call us if swelling grows, the pain gets sharper or the temporary filling falls out. We open at 9 AM every day.
Looking after the temporary filling
Chew on the other side until your next visit. Avoid sticky sweets, nuts and hard bread.
Brush gently around the tooth and do not pick at the filling. If it feels high when you bite, call us to adjust it.
Root canals in children
Baby teeth often need a shorter treatment that covers only the top of the nerve. It usually fits in one visit.
Our root canal treatment page explains the full procedure for adult teeth.
Planning your day
Allow extra time for numbing and X-rays. Ask us how long to book when you call.
You can drive home in most cases. Wait for the numbness to wear off before you eat.
We open until 9 PM, so an evening appointment can save you a day off work.
When the tooth feels normal
Tenderness can last a few days, and over-the-counter pain relief often helps. Follow the dose on the pack.
Your tooth may feel different for a while. Call the clinic if pain or swelling gets worse.
The crown visit
A back tooth often needs a crown. That means at least one more visit.
Do not put this off. A root-treated tooth can crack if you chew on it unprotected.