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Remove infection

Root canal therapy is where our endodontist (root canal specialist) removes all the infection from the root canal inside the tooth. The root is then cleaned and filled to prevent any further infection.

Preventing biting or jaw problems

Root canal treatment allows us to try and save your tooth. The alternative is to remove the tooth, allowing your remaining teeth to move and drift. This can lead to biting or jaw problems.

Specialist treatment

At Bow Lane Dental all root canal treatment is carried out by a specialist dentist (endodontist) who has undergoing additional treating just in endodontics. They use microscopes and digital xrays to see inside your teeth to check for cracks and thoroughly clean the infection and seal the tooth.

Rebuild your tooth

The root canal specialist will then rebuild your tooth and whiten it using peroxide gels so it matches the rest of your teeth so can use it as normal without knowing you have had treatment.

Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment in London

• What are the benefits of root canal treatment?
  We’re often asked at our London dental clinic about the benefits of root canal treatment and whether it’s worth saving the infected tooth. Saving a natural tooth with a root canal has many benefits including:
  
  
  • Normal biting force and sensation
  • Natural appearance
  • Efficient chewing
  • Protects other teeth from excessive wear and tear
  
  
  The only alternative to root canal treatment is to allow the tooth to fall out on its own or to extract it. Not only would this cause the surrounding teeth to shift, causing misalignment but there would also be the additional cost of replacing the extracted tooth with a dental implant or bridge.
  
  
• Does a root canal hurt?
  There has long been a misconception that root canal treatment hurts but in reality, this is far from true. Often a patient is already in pain when they visit our London dental clinic for root canal treatment. But once they receive a local anaesthetic to numb their mouth before our endodontist can start treatment, their pain is instantly relieved and they won’t feel a thing during the procedure.
  
  In other words, getting a root canal isn’t any worse than having a routine filling. Rather than the treatment being painful, it relieves a patient from their pain and saves their tooth to boot.
  
  
• How can I know if I need a root canal?
  Root canals are typically needed if a tooth has suffered an injury, has a deep cavity, or has been left weakened by repeated dental procedures to the same tooth. Some patients ask this if they aren’t sure what the difference is between a root canal and an extraction. You can find out more on the differences here . London patients needing root canal treatment often experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold sensations. Other symptoms include:
  
  
  • Swollen or tender gums
  • Severe pain when biting down or chewing
  • Pimples on the gums
  • A chipped or cracked tooth
  • Darkening of the gums or deep decay
  
  
  
• Can I return to school or work after a root canal?
  Most patients can go to school or work following root canal treatment but it will take between 2 and 4 hours for any numbness to wear off. Your mouth may feel a little tender or sore and there could be some discomfort for a few days,  although this can be eased with painkillers as prescribed by your dentist. It’s best not to eat until your mouth feels back to normal.
  
  
• How much does root canal treatment cost?
  Generally, the cost of root canal treatment at our London dental clinic varies according to the complexity of the case and which tooth is being treated. Molars are typically harder to treat. However, most dental insurances provide some coverage for endodontic treatment and we’re happy to help complete the relevant paperwork.
  
  It is usually less expensive to have endodontic treatment and restore the natural tooth than it is to perform an extraction and replace the tooth with a dental implant or bridge to restore the bite function and prevent nearby teeth from shifting.
  
  
• What is an endodontist?
  While a general dentist can perform root canal treatment, an endodontist is a specialist who has undergone several years of advanced training which includes the diagnosis and treatment of dental pain. Our endodontist in London performs routine and more complex root canal procedures including specialised techniques and superior treatments to save a natural tooth.
  
  Along with advanced training, endodontists have precision and hand-eye coordination that makes them highly adept at carrying out complex treatments. They use the latest technology to relieve tooth pain and perform root canal treatment. No one is better at saving a tooth than an endodontist.
  
  Meet our Endodontist
  
  
  Sally McCarthy qualified from University College Cork in 2012. She completed post-graduate training in endodontics, conservative and adhesive dentistry and corrective periodontal therapy. Sally’s advanced technical training allows her to take a gentle approach when managing complex cases; including root resorption, complex anatomy, instrument separation and endodontic surgery. She enjoys making endodontic treatment a comfortable experience, in a pleasant and calm environment.
  
  
  

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