Dentists questions, answered straight

The questions below are the ones patients ask right before they hand over money — and the ones the internet answers worst. Most of what comes back is a lead form or a sales page. These are plain answers with nothing to sell.

• How long will a root canal take?Guides

  Most root canals take 60 to 90 minutes and one or two visits. What fills that time, why a molar runs longer than a front tooth, and why the crown is a separate appointment.

• How much does a root canal cost?Costs

  Delta Dental's published out-of-network fees for a front tooth, premolar and molar, what dental plans typically cover, and the crown cost that is not included in either.

• Is a root canal painless?Guides

  A root canal is done under local anesthetic. What the ADA, Cleveland Clinic and the American Association of Endodontists say about pain during the procedure and in the days after.