how long does a root canal usually takes in minutes? and be honest is it painful?

Answer 1

Mines took about an hour. Including them prepping and explaining everything. No, honestly truth, it wasn't as bad as I thought. They give you a shot, you'll feel the pinch, but other than that, you're numb all the way. The only thing is you might feel slightly tired from having your mouth open. But really, I was surprised there was no pain. I relate it to doing a filling. My sister has had 3 and she also doesn't know why everyone says it's so painful. I compare it to a longer tooth filling feeling. Close your eyes, relax and you'll be done in no time. Good luck! ;)

Answer 2

a lot of people confuse the pain of the infected or abscessed tooth to the root canal it's self, it's no different then getting a filling or a crown done, it just may take a little longer, you could be so infected that you may not be able to get numb but in that case they'll give you more antibiotics and do it at a later time, the antibiotics should have taken care of most of the infection before you go in for the root canal, the only discomforts that are really anything worth mentioning are, having your mouth open for about 1 1/2 hours and maybe the tiny spot where they get you numb (only if it's a bottom tooth, this type of needle is more invasive and a bit longer because it has to go through muscle) the worst part of a root canal is the pain from the infection it's self, (swelling, abscess, and throbbing pain) this has nothing to do with the procedure it's self, so don't worry about it be happy to get in there and get it taken care of! it's a much better alternative then getting the tooth pulled which if you have an infection is your only other option

Answer 3

I totally agree with Amy L! I just had my first root canal done 2 days ago and the worst part of the whole thing was having to keep my mouth open for so long! The dentist would give me 30 sec breaks every once in a while but that was the worst part! My jaw still hurts from it mind you and I can't open my mouth all the way but the procedure itself doesn't hurt at all! They put the gel on, give you the needle which you barely feel and then like others have said it just feels like you're getting a filling! Of course it takes longer and there's alot more drilling but you'll be fine! If I ever have to have another one I'll be asking him to put me under because I don't know about other people but my jaw hurt so bad I wanted to cry from having to keep it open! I think my root canal took about an hour or so! Good Luck!

Answer 4

It depends on why you are having it done, who is doing it whether an endontist or regular dds. If you have a bad infection that hurts bad now, the procedure can reduce the pain but it can also stir up the gum around the area and that can hurt. Some dentists do them in 1 visit others 3 it depends on infection or risk of it, if it's infected now, it will probably be 3 visits, if it's an elective canal 1-2.

They take out the nerve and pulp in the first visit and usually put medicine doused in cotton in the hole, the tooth is left open just with cotton to drain and you are on antibiotics if you have infection, you go back in 2 weeks or so and they clean it out and put more medication in, put a temp filling on, then 2 weeks later the real permanent filling. If the tooth is fragile they may want to crown it too.

I've had them before and for me the worst was the stupid first novicain shot that hurt bad in the roof of my mouth, other than that it wasn't too awful.

If your canal is an optional one it might be done in 1 day. The whole procedure takes maybe 45 minutes the first 2 times and maybe 30 mins the last one.

Answer 5

I had a root canal done a few weeks ago. There was no pain at all except for a small sting when the dentist injected the Novocaine.
The whole process took about 40 minutes and was not much worse than going to the barber.

Answer 6

the last time i went to get a root canal done it didnt hurt at all the actual procedure, not including the wait for the dentist to come in, took about 15 minutes. first they gave me like 3 shots on the top of my mouth and on the gums which numbed it up and then they left i guess to let it take effect which i soon realized because i was slobbering all over the chair and my left cheek and ear, but anyways after that all they did was get some special pliers and slowly wedge it out and once it was loose they pulled it out and u'll be surprised how long ur tooth actually is i wud estimate mine was about 1.5 or 2 in. long. but anyways back to the question and no it didnt hurt at all. Hope This Helps and Makes Your Dental Visit More Pleasant. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

My decay was caught during a routine dental exam, so I didn't have a toothache.

When my root canal was performed, I was numb. Again, no pain. I don't remember how long it took.

I took the painkillers before the numbness wore off...no pain.

I didn't take the pain killers at night. I woke up IN PAIN.

I took the painkillers every 3 hours after that for 2 days, and I was fine.

Don't eat corn.

Answer 8

My root canal experience was one of my best dental visits. No joke.

They numb you up - and they put a dental dam around the tooth they were working on so that I wouldn't swallow any funky stuff - I thought that was nice and clean.

It took longer that I wanted it to - maybe 40 minutes altogether - but it wasn't that bad. It was not that painful - they do poke at you to make sure they have removed all of the root - but they did a good job on mine, so it did not hurt.

Answer 9

If you are dentist wary be sure to tell your dentist. i did and now they are so careful to make me comfortable. My dentist takes his time and I just had a tooth removed with zero pain. when he numbed me he just barely pricked my gums and injected novacaine to numb as he went. it took longer but it was the nicest dental experience I ever had. I have had both good and bad root canals done. my experience says if the dentist seems to focus on you and your comfort you should have a good experience. If the dentist just treats you like a job forget it and go somewhere else. The length of time it takes depends on what they are dealing with. All of mine have been done in one sitting but varied from 25 minutes to about an hour. The hour one involved a few interuptions so the procedure probably was about 45 min.

Good Luck and be sure to tell your dentist if you are apprehensive!

Answer 10

A root canal takes about 30 minutes, and in my experience, it hurts like hell.