Root Canal Treatment From £247.50 - Emergency Dentist London

The phrase "Root Canal" often strikes fear into patients, but it shouldn't. In reality, a root canal is a pain-relieving treatment, not a pain-causing one. It is the only way to save a tooth that has a dead or severely infected nerve. Without it, the tooth would need to be extracted.

At Emergency Dentist London, we use modern rotary instruments and powerful anaesthetics to ensure the procedure is comfortable and efficient. Our goal is to preserve your natural tooth, which is always superior to any implant or bridge.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

Deep inside every tooth is a chamber containing nerves and blood vessels called the pulp. If bacteria reach this pulp (via deep decay, a crack, or trauma), the pulp becomes inflamed and eventually dies.

A dead nerve cannot heal itself. The bacteria multiply inside the empty root canals and exit through the root tip into the jawbone, forming a painful abscess. Antibiotics alone cannot reliably eliminate bacteria inside the root canals. They may temporarily reduce symptoms, but the infection usually comes back if the tooth is not treated.

To fully treat the infection you normally need either root canal treatment to clean and seal the canals, or extraction of the tooth.

The Emergency Procedure (Extirpation)

In an emergency appointment, our priority is to stop your pain. We perform the first stage of the root canal, called an Extirpation:

1. Anaesthesia

We numb the tooth completely. You will feel no pain during the procedure.

2. Access

We make a small opening in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber.

3. Cleaning

We remove the inflamed or dead nerve tissue and flush the canals with disinfectant. This releases the pressure build-up immediately.

4. Dressing

We place a sedative, antibacterial dressing inside the tooth and seal it with a temporary filling.

After this visit, your toothache should disappear. You will need to return for a second visit to have the canals permanently filled and sealed.

Signs You Need a Root Canal

Spontaneous Pain

Pain that wakes you up at night or starts without a trigger.

Lingering Sensitivity

Pain to hot or cold that lasts for minutes after the drink is finished.

Tenderness

Pain when biting or tapping the tooth.

Darkening

The tooth turning grey or black (sign of a dead nerve).

Pimple on Gum

A small boil releasing pus near the tooth.

Aftercare and Restoration

A root-filled tooth becomes more brittle over time because it no longer has a blood supply. For back teeth (molars/premolars) that do heavy chewing, we highly recommend placing a Crown (cap) after the root canal is finished.

This acts like a helmet, holding the tooth together and preventing it from fracturing in the future.

Myth vs Reality

Myth: "Root canals are painful."

Reality: The procedure is done under local anaesthetic and feels similar to getting a filling. The pain comes from the infection before the treatment. The treatment is the cure.