What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment (RCT) removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth so that the tooth can be kept rather than taken out. At Caspian Dental Clinic, we provide root canal treatment in Bushey under local anaesthetic, and we explain every step and cost before we start.
The pulp is the soft tissue at the centre of a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, a leaking filling, a crack or a knock can let bacteria reach it. Infected pulp can’t heal on its own, and the infection can spread into the bone around the root and form an abscess.
Signs you may need root canal treatment
Only an examination and X-ray can confirm it, but common signs include:
- toothache that throbs, lingers or wakes you at night
- sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts after the food or drink has gone
- pain when biting or touching the tooth
- a gum boil, or swelling near the tooth
- a tooth that has darkened, sometimes after a knock
Sometimes there are no symptoms and the problem shows up on an X-ray. If you have pain or swelling, contact us about an emergency dental appointment; same-day appointments are offered when available. Out of hours, call NHS 111, and go to A&E if swelling affects your breathing or swallowing.
What root canal treatment involves
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Assessment and X-ray
We examine the tooth, take an X-ray and explain whether it can be saved, what’s involved, the risks and the fee.
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Local anaesthetic
We numb the tooth and check you’re comfortable before we begin. A thin rubber sheet (a dental dam) is usually placed around the tooth to keep it clean and dry.
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Cleaning and shaping the canals
Through a small opening in the top of the tooth, we remove the infected pulp, then clean and shape each root canal with fine instruments and disinfecting solutions.
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Filling and sealing
The canals are filled with a rubber-like material and sealed to stop bacteria getting back in. If a second visit is needed, a medicine is placed inside the tooth under a temporary filling in between.
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Restoring the tooth
The tooth is rebuilt with a filling and, for many back teeth, a crown afterwards. Most treatments take one or two visits.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
Root canal treatment has a worse reputation than it deserves. With modern local anaesthetic, most patients find it comparable to having a filling, although the appointment is longer. Often it’s the infection that hurts, and treatment is what relieves it.
Afterwards, the tooth may feel tender for a few days, especially when you bite. Over-the-counter painkillers, taken as directed on the packet, usually help. If pain or swelling gets worse rather than better, contact us. If you’re anxious, tell us and we’ll go at your pace.
“As a rather nervous patient I have been made to feel very comfortable at Caspian clinic. … I have been put at ease, all procedures being carefully explained, all treatments carried out with a gentle hand.”
Catherine, Google review
Why a crown is often recommended afterwards
Back teeth take heavy biting forces, and a root-filled molar or premolar has usually lost a lot of its structure to decay, old fillings and the access opening. That makes it more likely to crack, sometimes beyond repair.
A dental crown covers and protects the tooth, so we often recommend one once treatment is complete. Front teeth often need only a filling; we’ll advise based on how much of your tooth remains.
Success, limitations and alternatives
Root canal treatment is usually successful, and a well-restored tooth can last many years. It isn’t always possible, though. Some teeth have curved, blocked or extra canals, cracks running into the root, or too little tooth left to restore.
Occasionally infection persists or returns and the tooth needs retreatment or removal. Uncommon complications include a fine instrument breaking inside a canal. Where a tooth is particularly complex, we’ll discuss all your options, including referral where appropriate.
The main alternative is extraction, from £250. The gap can then be left, though neighbouring teeth may drift into it, or filled with a dental implant (from £3,000), a bridge or a denture, each with its own costs and trade-offs. Keeping your own tooth is usually preferable when it has a good outlook.
Aftercare following root canal treatment
- Wait until the numbness wears off before eating or having hot drinks.
- Avoid chewing hard food on the tooth until it has its final filling or crown.
- Keep brushing and cleaning between your teeth as normal.
- Contact us if a temporary filling comes out, or if pain or swelling increases.
Root canal treatment in Bushey: cost
Root canal treatment costs £600 – £1,000, depending on the tooth. Front teeth usually have a single canal and are towards the lower end of the range; molars typically have three or more canals and take longer, so they’re towards the upper end. A crown, if needed, is a separate fee from £1,000. We confirm your fee after examining the tooth.
Why choose Caspian Dental Clinic?
You’ll be seen by Dr Kimia Mirzakhani, our principal dentist, who has more than 25 years’ experience. She takes time to explain your options and risks so you can make an informed choice. We’re rated 4.9 out of 5 from 90 Google reviews, open on Saturdays, and about 100 yards from Bushey railway station, which is on the Overground line from Watford.
Root canal treatment FAQs
How much does root canal treatment cost in Bushey?
At Caspian Dental Clinic, root canal treatment costs £600 – £1,000. Front teeth are usually at the lower end and molars, which have more canals, at the upper end. A crown afterwards, if recommended, is a separate fee from £1,000.
Does a root canal hurt?
The treatment is done under local anaesthetic, and most patients find it comparable to having a filling. The tooth may feel tender for a few days afterwards, which usually settles with over-the-counter painkillers.
How many appointments does root canal treatment take?
Usually one or two. Molars and teeth with a lot of infection are more likely to need two, with a medicine left inside the tooth in between. A crown, if needed, involves further visits.
Do I need a crown after root canal treatment?
Not always. Back teeth usually benefit from a crown because they take heavy biting forces and are more likely to crack once root-filled. Front teeth with plenty of structure left can often be restored with a filling.
Is it better to have a root canal or an extraction?
If the tooth can be restored and has a good outlook, keeping it is usually the better long-term choice. Extraction is quicker at first, but replacing the tooth with an implant, bridge or denture adds time and cost. We’ll talk through both honestly.
How long does a root-filled tooth last?
A root-filled tooth that’s well restored and looked after can last many years. It can still decay, crack or, occasionally, become reinfected, so regular check-ups and good cleaning are important.