We get it, in today’s world we never feel like we have enough time to get everything done. So you may feel like you don’t have enough time to get to the dentist for that check-up or your regular cleaning, but the good news is the average dentist appointment doesn’t take that long. Plus it’s important!
How Long Is A Dentist Appointment?
According to the American Dental Association, the average dental appointment is 52 minutes. If you are going to see a specialist like an endodontist or orthodontist, those appointments are a few minutes shorter at just 44 minutes.
While you are considering fitting your next dental appointment into your busy schedule, keep in mind these are just averages and your appointment could be faster or shorter. Also, keep in mind many dental offices would like you to arrive 10-15 minutes early for any paperwork or insurance checks.
Our recommendation is to estimate roughly an hour for your next dental appointment, but we highly recommend calling your dentist and just double-checking.
Why Do Dentist Appointments Take So Long?
During the usual 1 hour long trip to your dentist, you may notice that for the average appointment you mostly see and talk to your hygienist. This is because most of the time you are going to a cleaning. Your hygienist probably spends about 45 minutes with your cleaning and doing some checkups. Your dentist will usually drop in for 5-15 minutes to review your x-rays and do an exam to see if you have any dental issues that may need some more care or treatment.
Feel Like They Are Getting Longer?
Do you feel like you used to be in and out of your dentist and now it seems to take longer? It’s not just your imagination. In an ADA survey between 1990 and 2009, they found that the average appointment with a dentist has gotten 7 minutes longer. Since we haven’t started growing more teeth, we attribute this to improved care and additional screenings and x-rays.
How Long Are Different Types Of Dental Appointments?
We recommend you ask your provider how long they plan to have you there when you schedule the appointment but we can offer some basic guidelines below.
First Visit To A New Dentist
If you are going to a new dentist or new office, you may want to bank for a slightly longer appointment of 90 minutes to 2 hours. First visits to a new dentist can often take additional time because you will have some new patient paperwork, they may want to take extra x-rays and photos to get a comprehensive picture of your oral health, and will likely include time for your cleaning. Additionally, the dentist and hygienist may want to spend a few extra minutes getting to know you.
Regular Cleaning Length
Most offices book a regular cleaning into 60 minute to 75 minute time slots. This gives them plenty of time to take routine x-rays, perform periodontal exams, and clean and polish your teeth.
Deep Cleaning Length
It’s important to distinguish between a regular preventative cleaning and a deep cleaning (also known as scaling and root planing). Scaling appointments are much more in-depth and may be scheduled for 1 to 2 hours, or even longer depending on how involved your periodontal disease is, and how much of your mouth is being treated at each appointment.
Filling Appointment Length
Depending on how many fillings need to be done and how big the fillings are, your appointment could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Your dentist will need time to give anesthetic and make sure it is working before they begin. A good estimate is to allot 30 minutes for each filling.
Crown Appointment Length
If you are needing a crown, you can expect to be at the dentist’s office for 90 minutes to 2 hours. Some dentists make crowns in their office, which means it will be done in a single appointment. Your dentist may also opt to have it made by an outside laboratory, in which case you will leave the office with a temporary crown and need to return for a second appointment about 2 weeks later to get the final crown. If you return for a second appointment it will likely be approximately 30 minutes.
Is A Dental Appointment Worth The Time?
Always! Keeping your mouth and teeth healthy is critical to your overall well-being. Many issues don’t hurt until they’ve gotten to an advanced level, and the worse it is, the more time consuming and expensive it will be to get it taken care of.
