What is root canal treatment?
A root canal, also known as endodontic therapy, is a specialist procedure used to save a tooth that has become infected or inflamed and to prevent further pain. It involves removing the damaged tooth pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals, and sealing them with a biocompatible material. When performed by a specialist endodontist, the treatment eliminates infection, preserves your natural tooth, and restores function and aesthetics, all without discomfort.
Why you might need a root canal
When the soft tissue inside your tooth becomes infected, from decay, trauma or a crack, it cannot heal by itself. Without treatment, the infection can spread, causing pain, abscesses and bone loss. Root canal therapy prevents this by removing the infected tissue and sealing the area, allowing you to keep your natural tooth rather than having it extracted. Symptoms that may suggest you need a root canal include a throbbing or persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting or chewing, swollen or tender gums, and a darkened or discoloured tooth.
What happens during your root canal appointment
Your consultation begins with a thorough assessment by one of our endodontic specialists. Using high-definition imaging and 3D scans, we evaluate the number of canals within the affected tooth and the extent of infection. Local anaesthesia is administered to ensure complete comfort, then a small opening is made to access the infected pulp chamber. The root canals are cleaned and shaped using microscopic precision, disinfected, and filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally the tooth is sealed and, in most cases, restored with a filling or crown for protection. Most treatments are completed in a single visit, though complex cases may require two appointments.
What to expect after treatment
Recovery is usually rapid. Some patients experience mild tenderness for 24 to 48 hours, which is completely normal. You can resume normal activities the same day, although we recommend avoiding chewing on the treated side until any sensitivity subsides. Your restored tooth will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth.
Root canal retreatment
If a previously treated tooth becomes painful or reinfected, retreatment can restore it. Our team removes the old filling material, disinfects the canals again, and reseals the tooth using modern materials for long-term success.
Apicectomy
If a previous root canal has not resolved the problem, an apicectomy, or root-end surgery, may be necessary. This precise microsurgical procedure removes the tip of the tooth root and infected tissue to save the tooth from extraction.
Vital pulp therapy
For younger patients or those with early-stage pulp inflammation, vital pulp therapy preserves healthy tissue and allows the tooth to continue developing naturally. It is a conservative and effective alternative to full root canal treatment.
Wherever possible, we aim to save your natural tooth through root canal treatment. Extraction is only recommended when the tooth is beyond repair. Preserving the tooth maintains jaw structure, prevents neighbouring teeth from shifting, and avoids the need for future implants. Our philosophy is simple: preserve what nature gave you, whenever possible.
Root canal treatment for nervous patients
Feeling nervous is completely natural, especially after a difficult dental experience in the past. Our caring team offers both light and deep sedation for anxious patients, and you can relax with video glasses during your procedure. Many patients find the experience surprisingly calm and stress-free. Our combination of compassion, advanced anaesthesia and precise technique makes us one of the most trusted clinics for root canal treatment in London.
Looking for the best root canal treatment in London?
Whenever you need to take care of your smile, in an emergency, during routine care or when booking cosmetic dentistry, you naturally seek a qualified, skilled and experienced professional you can trust. We are internationally renowned within the profession, we pride ourselves on evidence-based dentistry with a person-centred approach, and we use a microscope or other magnifying equipment to ensure world-class results. We perform all root canal treatments in accordance with the guidelines of the German and British Societies of Endodontics.