A general dentist can perform various dental procedures. The length of time each procedure takes can vary depending on the individual case. For example, a professional tooth cleaning usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour to complete.  Dental fillings can take 20 minutes to one hour, depending on the number of teeth and severity of the cavity. A tooth extraction usually takes around 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the tooth’s location. More complex procedures, such as root canal therapy or treatment of gum disease, can take more than one appointment.