Okay, let’s talk about the big one. A root canal is not one appointment. It’s a saga. A miniseries with three to four episodes. Each episode—I mean, visit—usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Sometimes more, if your tooth has extra roots or if the dentist is a perfectionist.
The first visit is the longest: about 90 minutes for cleaning, shaping, and getting that nerve out. The second visit is shorter, maybe 30 to 45 minutes, to seal everything up. But don’t be fooled—the total time across all visits can be 3 to 5 hours spread over weeks. And you feel every minute of it, even with Novocaine.
Fun fact: root canals have a reputation for being painful, but honestly, the worst part is the length. You have to hold your mouth wide open for an hour and a half. Your jaw will want a divorce from your skull. I recommend a small squeeze stress ball. And good Netflix on your phone for the waiting room—you’ll need it.
Dental Appointment: 7 Powerful Reasons Not to Delay in 2026
