In the past, root canal treatment has had a reputation for being unpleasant and uncomfortable; tell someone you are planning such treatment and they are likely to wince on your behalf. However, it does not have to be a painful procedure any more and at 76 Harley Street we specialise in making treatment as comfortable and as pain-free an experience as possible.

What does root canal treatment involve?

The first stage is a consultation at our specialist dental practice in London with one of our endodontic specialists who will investigate the degree to which the root is infected. In some cases, the infection may have spread to the surrounding tissue or bone; this can be ascertained using low-dose digital X-rays.

The tooth is treated first by removing the bacteria and decay from the canal, and then sealing it with a rubber filling material to prevent further bacteria re-infecting the tooth. This may be done in two stages, using a temporary filling in between appointments. We always use effective local anaesthesia and antibiotics and analgaesics are available post-treatment. Your endodontic specialist will discuss all aspects of your proposed root canal treatment at the consultation where you will have many opportunities to ask questions – and to seek reassurance about associated pain.

Why do people have to have repeated treatment?

We often treat patients who have had unsuccessful root canal treatment elsewhere. The most common causes for more treatment being required include the infection not being fully removed or gaps in the filling. At our London specialist dental practice we have state-of-the-art technology, including high magnification microscopes. The level of visibility provided by this equipment allows our endodontic specialists to treat the infected root with a high degree of precision, greatly reducing the chance of the infection returning.