Thanks to advancing technology and state-of-the-art equipment, dental treatments are now carried out much faster compared to the past.
Different dental treatment methods are applied depending on the condition and oral health of the patient. Today, thanks to developing technology and modern devices, dental treatments are completed much more quickly than before. Individuals with busy work lives such as civil servants, bank employees, or managers often wonder how many minutes dental treatments take. Depending on the type of dental treatment, the duration may range from minutes to several months.
How Are Dental Treatments Performed?
Many different treatment methods are applied depending on the problem in the mouth and the selected treatment approach. While implant treatments for individuals with tooth loss may take months, procedures such as root canal treatment or dental scaling can take hours or even minutes. In order to apply the correct dental treatment, doctors determine a treatment plan together with the patient and then begin the procedure. One of the reasons implant treatments take months is the screws placed in the jawbone where the implants will be attached. After these screws are placed, several months are required for the area to heal. However, simpler procedures such as root canal treatment usually take a few hours. Dental treatment methods include the following:
- Implant treatment
- Root canal treatment
- Orthodontic treatments
- Teeth whitening
- Dental scaling
- Tooth extraction
How Many Minutes Does Implant Treatment Take?
Implant treatment is generally performed under local anesthesia. The placement of implants into the jawbone consists of two stages. The first stage involves opening a hole in the jawbone where the implant, similar to a screw, will be placed. Then, the implant is inserted into this socket appropriately. The implant remains in the jawbone for approximately 3 months. One of the main reasons for this waiting period is to allow the jawbone to heal and to ensure proper fusion between the implant and the bone. Depending on the type, the implant may be fixed under the gum or left exposed. During this process, temporary bridges or existing dentures may be used. Although it is not possible to give a precise answer to the question of how many minutes dental treatments take, the entire implant process generally lasts between 4 and 6 months.
How Many Minutes Does Root Canal Treatment Take?
Root canal treatment, which takes less time compared to implants, is the procedure of removing the pulp tissue, a thread-like structure located in the center of the tooth. After the damaged, infected, or non-functional pulp tissue is removed, the remaining space is cleaned, shaped appropriately, and restored. This process seals the root canal. The average procedure time is approximately 1 hour.
How Many Minutes Do Orthodontic Treatments Take?
Orthodontics is a field that focuses on correcting crooked teeth. It involves treatments such as braces and palatal expanders. The placement of braces may take about 1 hour. First, a treatment plan is created by evaluating the patient’s dental structure and misalignment. After braces are applied, treatment may last for several months or even years. The timing for removing braces is determined based on how the teeth respond to treatment.
During orthodontic treatment, patients regularly visit their doctor for check-ups. After the braces are removed, transparent retainers are used for a certain period to prevent the teeth from becoming misaligned again.
How Many Minutes Does Teeth Whitening Take?
Teeth whitening methods are divided into two categories: at-home whitening and in-clinic whitening. Before starting whitening procedures, which can also be performed at home with the necessary equipment, issues such as tartar must be eliminated and the teeth must be cleaned. After polishing the tooth surface, a photo of the initial condition is taken to better observe the difference. Once the tooth shade is determined, the procedure begins. The process usually takes about 1 hour.
At-home teeth whitening treatments involve custom-made trays prepared based on individual measurements, which are worn on the teeth. For this method, the answer to the question of how many minutes dental treatments take is approximately 1 hour.
After the whitening procedure, tooth sensitivity may occur within the first 24 hours, which is completely normal. After whitening, foods and beverages containing colorants should be avoided. Acidic and sugary foods should not be consumed, and tobacco products and alcohol should be avoided.
Teeth whitening is not applied to teeth with large pulp chambers, excessively worn tooth surfaces, crowned teeth, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with insufficient oral and dental health, individuals whose tooth structure is not suitable for the procedure, people with tooth sensitivity, or those with broken or decayed teeth.
How Many Minutes Does Dental Scaling Take?
This treatment method, performed using ultrasonic devices, does not require anesthesia. Tartar buildup can be very uncomfortable for the gums. It is often performed before many whitening and orthodontic treatments if tartar is present. Dental plaque and tartar are removed from the gum line using special tools. Depending on the severity of tartar buildup, the procedure may be divided into multiple sessions. Dental scaling takes approximately 30 minutes on average.
How Many Minutes Does Tooth Extraction Take?
Teeth that cause problems due to decay or gum disease are extracted through surgical procedures. Especially wisdom teeth should be removed as they can negatively affect the health of other teeth and overall oral health. Tooth extractions that do not require surgery usually take about 15–20 minutes. However, wisdom teeth extractions can differ. The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth may take between 40 minutes and 1 hour, while erupted wisdom teeth usually take about 30 minutes. Before wisdom tooth extraction, a dental X-ray is taken and the operation is planned accordingly. In some complicated cases, the extraction process may take longer.
