Endodontic treatments to relieve pain and save teeth
When a tooth is badly broken down or abscessed the nerve or the inside of the tooth may be exposed. This is usually painful and the tooth has to be extracted or root canal treated. With improvements in technology we are now able to root treat most teeth successfully hence retaining them.
Root canal treatment used to be very unpredictable and that was occasionally due to poor diagnosis, we are fortunate to also have a CBCT Scanner that delivers a three dimensional image of your dental tissues. This is extremely useful in more difficult root canal cases and aids us in diagnosis.
Sometimes though it is not possible to save a tooth and it must be removed. In these circumstances we will discuss all the options with you before hand.
What is Dental Root Canal
Root Canal Treatment involves removing the central part of the tooth, the pulp which encompasses the nerve and blood supply of your tooth. We use special rotary instruments to cleanse the inside of the tooth and disinfect the canal ensuring no regrowth of bacteria.
Once the canal is clean, clear and shaped we will seal the canal with a soft warm material, gutta percha, that hardens when cool. From there we will restore the tooth to previous form and function usually with a crown or an inlay for maximum strength.
Speak to a member of the Open Dental team on 020 7112 5353 for more information about dental root canal treatments
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Root Canal Treatment · Islington
Save the tooth.
Relieve the pain.
When a tooth is badly broken down or abscessed, root canal treatment removes the infection and retains the tooth — avoiding extraction. With improvements in technology, we can now root treat most teeth successfully.
CBCT
3D scanner available
GDC
Regulated practice
0%
Finance available
CBCT Scanner
3D imaging for
complex cases
complex cases
What is Root Canal Treatment?When the nerve is affected,
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When the nerve is affected,
the tooth can still be saved.
Root canal treatment is needed when a tooth is badly broken down or abscessed and the nerve or the inside of the tooth is exposed or infected. Without treatment, the infection spreads and the tooth must be extracted.
The procedure removes the pulp — the central part of the tooth containing the nerve and blood supply — using special rotary instruments to cleanse and disinfect the canal, ensuring no regrowth of bacteria. Once clean and shaped, the canal is sealed with a warm material called gutta percha, which hardens on cooling. The tooth is then restored — usually with a crown or an inlay — for maximum strength and long-term function.
Signs you may need root canal treatment
- Persistent or severe toothache
- Sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum
- A tooth that has darkened in colour
- A recurring pimple or abscess on the gum
The Procedure
What happens at your appointment
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic. You will feel pressure but not pain — and with modern instruments, most patients find it far more straightforward than they expected.
01
Diagnosis & Assessment
We examine the tooth and take digital X-rays. For more complex cases, our CBCT scanner provides a full three-dimensional image of the tooth and surrounding tissues — aiding accurate diagnosis.
02
Removal of the Pulp
Under local anaesthetic, the central part of the tooth — the pulp containing the nerve and blood supply — is removed. Rotary instruments cleanse and shape the inside of the canal.
03
Disinfection & Sealing
The canal is disinfected to ensure no regrowth of bacteria, then sealed with gutta percha — a soft warm material that sets firm when cool — to close the tooth.
04
Restoration
The tooth is restored to full form and function — usually with a crown or an inlay for maximum strength. We will discuss the best option and provide a written plan with costs.
CBCT Scanner — 3D imaging for difficult cases
Root canal treatment used to be unpredictable, partly due to the limitations of conventional X-rays. Our CBCT scanner delivers a three-dimensional image of the tooth and its root system — giving us a level of diagnostic detail that significantly improves outcomes in complex cases.
FAQ
Your questions answered
Your questions about root canal treatment, answered
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic and is considerably more comfortable than its reputation suggests. You will feel pressure during the procedure but should not feel pain. There may be some tenderness in the area for a few days afterwards, which settles quickly and is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
In the majority of cases, yes. With improvements in technology — including the use of our CBCT scanner for three-dimensional imaging of complex cases — we can now root treat most teeth successfully. However, there are situations where the tooth cannot be saved, and if that is the case we will explain clearly why and discuss your replacement options with you.
Most root canal treatments can be completed in one or two appointments. The number depends on the complexity of the case — the number of canals, the degree of infection, and whether the tooth has been treated before. We will give you a clear picture at your assessment.
A CBCT scanner produces a three-dimensional image of the tooth and surrounding tissues — far more detailed than a conventional X-ray. This is particularly valuable in complex root canal cases where the canal anatomy is unusual, a previous root filling needs reassessing, or there is uncertainty about the extent of infection. It significantly improves both diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Once the canal is sealed, the tooth needs to be restored — usually with a crown or an inlay to provide maximum strength and protection. Root-treated teeth can become more brittle over time, so restoring the tooth properly is an important part of the overall treatment. We will include this in your written treatment plan with costs.
Yes — 0% interest-free finance is available through our partner Tabeo. Ask us for details at your appointment.
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Tooth pain shouldn't be ignored. If you're experiencing toothache, sensitivity or swelling, book an appointment and we'll assess the tooth and explain your options before any work begins.