What is root canal treatment?
The middle of a healthy tooth has a hollow chamber. Narrow tubes go down the middle of each root from the chamber to the end of the tooth. Root canal treatment is the cleaning and filling of this space.

Why do I need this treatment?
If a tooth breaks or has decay, germs from your mouth can infect the middle of the tooth and cause a dental abscess or other problems. Root canal treatment is the only alternative to taking the tooth out if this happens. Occasionally root canal treatment is done to help with other dental treatment, but this is less common.

The pain has gone – do I still need the treatment?
Definitely yes! The dead tissue in the tooth is a source of infection for the bone around, increases the rate of gum disease around the tooth, cannot be cured by your immune system or antibiotics, and can lead to a range of more serious problems.

Can it go wrong?
Any treatment can go wrong. If root canal treatment is done well, and the tooth is repaired well afterwards, between 90% and 95% of the teeth treated should be successful in the medium to long term. If the tooth has had root canal treatment before, the success rates are a little lower.

How long will it last?
Most properly root treated teeth will last many years. If we suspect that treatment for your tooth is not likely to do so we will tell you and discuss alternative choices.

Why can’t my dentist do it?
We have specialist equipment and greater experience in treating complex root canals which give you an improved chance of successful treatment.

How many visits will it take?
If the infection has not spread throughout the tooth, treatment in one visit may be possible. If the infection has spread through the root canals, the treatment can be 20% more successful if an antiseptic is left in the tooth for about a week and the treatment is done over two visits. Some particularly difficult teeth may take three visits to treat.

How long are the visits?
This depends upon the complexity of the tooth – anything between 30 minutes for a single rooted tooth to 1 hour 30 minutes for a complicated back tooth.

What will it cost?
This depends on the complexity of the tooth. The normal range is from £200 to £450, with front teeth being at the lower end and back teeth towards the upper.

Does it hurt?
The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic which should control any pain completely. Approximately 25% of our patients fall asleep at some point during the treatment. If you are particularly anxious it is possible to arrange sedation. You may also choose to listen to music, or to watch a film or even your own treatment (a surprisingly popular choice) through a pair of video glasses.

Does the tooth need additional treatment after?
Most root treated teeth at the back of the mouth need a crown. This is the best way to strengthen and seal the tooth, keeping the germs in your mouth away from the middle of the tooth. Not all root treated teeth need crowns. We will advise you about your particular situation. At the front of the mouth, a crown, bleaching or a veneer may be suggested if the tooth was heavily filled before the treatment or if the appearance of the tooth needs improvement.

When can you do it?
As soon as a suitable appointment can be arranged.

Do I go back to my own dentist afterwards (if I am referred by another dentist)?
Most but not all dentists ask us to do the root canal treatment and they themselves crown the tooth later.

What happens after the treatment?
We usually send an appointment for the tooth to be checked and x-rayed a year after the treatment. It is sensible to take an x-ray of a root treated tooth every two to four years.