General dentistry
Root canal treatment
Removal of infected nerve tissue to save a tooth that would otherwise need extracting — carried out under local anaesthetic with rotary instruments and completed with a crown or filling.
Root canal treatment at a glance
Root canal treatment removes infected nerve tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and shapes the canals, then seals them — keeping the tooth when extraction would otherwise be needed.
At This Is It Dental we use nickel titanium rotary instrumentation and thorough canal irrigation — a more effective technique than older hand-filing methods. We take X-rays during treatment to verify the working length and check the final fill.
After root canal, most teeth need a crown to protect them from fracture — we include this in the treatment plan and cost before you start, so there are no surprises at the end.
Quick overview
What is root canal?
The nerve and blood supply inside the tooth root canals are removed, the canals cleaned and shaped, then sealed with a rubber filling material. The tooth is kept but is no longer 'alive'.
Who needs it?
Patients with deep decay reaching the nerve, a tooth abscess, severe toothache, or a tooth that has died from trauma. Root canal saves teeth that would otherwise need extracting.
Alternatives
Extraction removes the problem immediately but leaves a gap. An implant can replace the tooth later. We'll discuss whether root canal or extraction is the better long-term decision for your specific tooth.
Why choose root canal over extraction?
Saves the tooth
Avoids extraction and the cost and complexity of replacing the tooth.
Pain relief
Removes the infected tissue that is causing toothache or swelling.
Long-lasting
Root-treated teeth protected with a crown regularly last 15+ years.
Your root canal journey
Most root canal cases are completed in one to two appointments of 60–90 minutes each.
- 1 Appointment 1 · 60–90 min
Access & canal cleaning
Under local anaesthetic, the tooth is isolated with rubber dam, the pulp removed, and canals shaped and irrigated.
- 2 Same visit or week 2
Obturation
Once canals are clean and dry, they are sealed with gutta-percha (rubber filling material) and a temporary or definitive coronal seal placed.
- 3 X-ray review
Verification
Post-fill X-ray confirms all canals are fully sealed to the apex; any missed canals are addressed before the appointment ends.
- 4 4–6 weeks later
Crown placement
A crown is fitted to protect the root-treated tooth from fracture — the most common reason root canal treatments fail long-term.
Hi there 👋 — send a short message about your treatment question and we'll reply on WhatsApp as soon as we can.
Pricing
Root canal fees are per tooth and include all treatment appointments and X-rays. Crown quoted separately.
- Root canal — anterior tooth (1 canal) £595
- Root canal — premolar (1–2 canals) £750
- Root canal — molar (3–4 canals) £950
- Re-root canal (retreatment) from £950
- Crown (following root canal) £950
Frequently asked questions
Is root canal painful?
Performed under local anaesthetic, most patients find it no more uncomfortable than a filling — the pain relief afterwards is significant.
How many appointments does it take?
One for most straightforward cases, two for complex or infected cases requiring a dressing in between.
Does a root-treated tooth always need a crown?
Front teeth with a minimal cavity sometimes don't; back teeth that take biting load almost always do — we'll advise specifically.
Can root canal fail?
It can — reinfection is possible, particularly if the crown is delayed or poorly fitted. Retreatment or extraction are options if this occurs.
Save your tooth before extraction becomes necessary
Book an assessment — we'll tell you honestly whether root canal is the right choice.