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Root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment) removes infection from the inside of a tooth, relieves pain and saves the tooth from extraction. It is one of the most effective ways of keeping a natural tooth that would otherwise be lost.
At Deansgate Dental Studio, root canal treatment is carried out in-practice by our own experienced team, so you can be treated in a calm, comfortable environment by clinicians you already know. Our principal dentist, Dr Jabir Kazi, has built a strong reputation for his root canal work. Other dentists refer him the cases they feel are beyond their own skill set, and he runs teaching sessions for dentists wanting to improve their endodontic treatment – so you can be confident you are in good hands and receiving the highest standard of care.
We use a dental operating microscope, rubber dam isolation, modern rotary file systems and 3D CBCT imaging to make treatment as precise, predictable and comfortable as possible. For nervous patients, sedation is also available.
Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the dental pulp, which contains the nerve and blood supply. The pulp runs from the crown of the tooth down through narrow channels in the roots, known as root canals. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, it cannot heal on its own. Left untreated, the infection spreads through the root canals and out into the bone around the root, where it can form an abscess.
Root canal treatment removes the infected or dying pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals them so that bacteria cannot get back in. The tooth stays in place, keeps its root and continues to function normally for biting and chewing. Because the nerve has been removed, the tooth will no longer feel hot and cold, but it will still feel pressure through the surrounding tissues.
Root canal treatment is the most commonly performed endodontic procedure and, for many years, had an undeserved reputation for being painful. In reality, the treatment relieves pain rather than causing it. With modern local anaesthetic, magnification, gentle rotary instruments and an experienced, unhurried team, most patients tell us the appointment was far easier than they expected – often no more uncomfortable than having a filling.
The pulp becomes infected when bacteria reach the inside of the tooth. The most common causes are:
If you are experiencing any of the following, you may need a root canal treatment:
Not every infected tooth hurts. In some cases the nerve has already died and the infection is only picked up on a routine X-ray. This is one of the reasons regular examinations matter – treating a tooth early, before an abscess develops, is simpler and more predictable.
If you have pain, swelling or an abscess, please contact us on 0161 912 6200 so we can see you promptly. Dental infections do not resolve on their own and antibiotics alone will not cure them.
Root canal treatment is technically demanding. Canals are often narrow, curved and difficult to find, and the difference between success and failure usually comes down to how thoroughly they are located, cleaned and sealed. Dr Jabir Kazi has a particular interest and extensive experience in endodontics. Dentists from other practices refer complex and re-treatment cases to him, and he teaches root canal techniques to other dentists. That depth of experience means we can take on cases that others may consider too difficult, and treat routine cases with the same care.
We know that some patients are anxious about dental treatment, and root canal treatment in particular. Our team will take the time to explain everything, make sure you are completely numb before we start, and go at your pace. Sedation is available for patients who would prefer it – see Will it hurt? below.
Because we provide root canal treatment, crowns and, where needed, implant treatment in-practice, your care is planned and delivered by one team. There is no need to be referred elsewhere, and the clinician restoring the tooth is working alongside the clinician who treated it.
Throughout treatment you are welcome to raise a hand at any time if you need a break. Many patients listen to music or a podcast during their appointment.
Most root canal treatments are completed in one or two appointments of around 60 to 90 minutes each. Front teeth usually have a single canal and can often be finished in one visit. Molars have three or four canals (occasionally more) and typically take longer.
In more advanced cases – for example where there is a large abscess, the canals are very curved or calcified, or a previous root filling is being redone – treatment may be spread across three or more appointments to allow the infection to settle between visits.
Once the root canal treatment itself is complete, a crown (where needed) usually requires a further one or two short appointments.
Root canal treatment should not be painful. The tooth is fully numbed with local anaesthetic before we begin, and most patients feel nothing more than pressure and vibration during the procedure. If you can feel anything at all, let us know and we will top up the anaesthetic straight away.
If a tooth is acutely infected and very painful, it can occasionally be harder to numb. In these cases we may use additional anaesthetic techniques or, where appropriate, settle the infection first and complete treatment at a second visit.
If you are anxious about dental treatment, you are not alone and we will never rush you. Our team is experienced in looking after nervous patients, and we will explain each step before it happens. For patients who would prefer to be more relaxed during treatment, we can offer sedation. You remain conscious and able to respond, but feel calm and drowsy, and most patients remember very little of the appointment afterwards. Please mention this when you book or at your consultation so we can plan the appropriate arrangements, including someone to accompany you home.
In many cases, yes – particularly for back teeth. A root-treated tooth has usually lost a good deal of its natural structure to decay, previous fillings and the access cavity, and because the nerve has been removed it is also drier and more brittle than a living tooth. The most common reason a root-treated tooth is eventually lost is not the root filling failing, but the tooth fracturing under chewing forces.
A crown covers and protects the whole tooth, holding it together and spreading the biting load evenly. For molars and premolars, placing a crown significantly improves the long-term survival of the tooth. Front teeth that are largely intact can often be restored with a filling alone.
We will advise you at the planning stage whether a crown is recommended, so that the full cost and number of visits are clear from the outset. Where a crown is needed, we recommend it is placed soon after the root canal treatment is completed, while the tooth is still protected by its temporary restoration and before it has a chance to crack.
It is normal for the tooth and surrounding gum to feel tender for a few days once the anaesthetic wears off, especially when biting. This is the tissues around the root settling down and usually eases within two to five days. Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (taken as directed on the packet, and provided they are suitable for you) are normally all that is needed. Taking the first dose before the anaesthetic wears off can help.
Please call us on 0161 912 6200 if you experience any of the following:
These are uncommon, but we would always rather see you and check than have you wait.
Root canal treatment has a high success rate, and a well-treated, well-restored tooth can last for many years – often a lifetime. The outcome depends on a combination of how thoroughly the canals were cleaned and sealed, how well the tooth was restored afterwards, and how the tooth is looked after from then on.
A root-treated tooth needs the same care as any other: brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth daily, and keep up with your routine examinations and hygiene appointments. If you grind or clench your teeth, a night guard can help protect the tooth and its crown.
We will review the tooth at your routine examinations and may take a follow-up X-ray after around a year to confirm that the bone around the root has healed.
Occasionally a tooth that has had root canal treatment in the past becomes painful or infected again, sometimes many years later. This does not necessarily mean the tooth has to be removed. In many cases the tooth can be re-treated and saved.
Root canal re-treatment. The old root filling is removed, the canals are re-cleaned, disinfected and resealed, and the tooth is restored again. Re-treatment is more involved than first-time treatment and is a particular area of Dr Kazi’s expertise – it is the type of case other dentists most often refer to him. We will use a CBCT scan where appropriate to identify the cause of the problem before deciding on the best approach.
Apical surgery (apicectomy). In a small number of cases, where the problem cannot be reached from inside the tooth – for example where a post and crown would be difficult to remove – the tip of the root and the surrounding infected tissue can be removed through a small opening in the gum, and the root end sealed.
Extraction and replacement. If the tooth is cracked through the root, or too little sound tooth remains to restore it, extraction may be the more predictable option. We will discuss replacement options with you, including dental implants.
We will give you an honest assessment of how likely re-treatment is to succeed for your particular tooth, so you can weigh this against the alternatives.
When a tooth is infected, the alternative to root canal treatment is to remove it. Patients sometimes ask whether it would be simpler to take the tooth out, so it is worth setting out why we usually recommend saving it.
There are situations where removing the tooth is the more predictable choice, and we will always tell you if that is the case:
If a tooth does need to be removed, we can replace it with a dental implant, bridge or denture, and we will plan the replacement with you at the same time so you are not left with a gap for longer than necessary.
The cost depends on which tooth is being treated, as back teeth have more canals and take longer, and on whether it is a first-time treatment or a re-treatment. The guide prices below are for the root canal treatment itself; where a crown is recommended, this is quoted separately. You will receive a full written treatment plan with the exact cost before any treatment begins.
| Treatment | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Endodontic consultation (including X-rays) | £35 |
| 3D CBCT scan (where required) | From £195 |
| Root canal treatment – front tooth (incisor or canine) | from £650 |
| Root canal treatment – premolar | from £750 |
| Root canal treatment – molar | from £850 |
| Root canal re-treatment | from £850 |
| Crown following root canal treatment | from £850 |
Finance options are available to spread the cost of treatment – please ask our reception team for details.
Can I drive home after root canal treatment? Yes, if you have had local anaesthetic only. If you have had sedation, you will need someone to take you home and stay with you for the rest of the day.
Can I eat after the appointment? Wait until the numbness has fully worn off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Then eat on the other side until the tooth has its permanent restoration.
Will I need antibiotics? Usually not. Antibiotics cannot reach the inside of the tooth, so they do not cure the infection on their own. We prescribe them only where there is spreading swelling or you are unwell.
Can I go back to work the same day? Most patients do. You may feel some tenderness, but there is no need to take time off unless you have had sedation.
Will the tooth look different afterwards? Sometimes a root-treated tooth can darken slightly over time. If this happens to a front tooth, it can usually be improved with internal whitening or a veneer or crown.
I have had a root canal elsewhere and it is still painful. Can you help? Yes. We regularly see patients referred for re-treatment or a second opinion. Book a consultation and we will assess the tooth, usually with a CBCT scan, and explain your options.
Is it better to have treatment now or wait until it hurts? Now. Treating a tooth before an abscess develops is simpler, more comfortable and more likely to succeed. Infections do not go away on their own.
Can my own dentist refer me to Dr Kazi? Yes. We accept referrals from other practices for complex root canal treatment and re-treatment. Your dentist can contact us on 0161 912 6200 or at hello@deansgatedentalstudio.co.uk, and you will return to your own dentist once treatment is complete.
If you have toothache, sensitivity or swelling, or you have been told you need a root canal treatment, we would be happy to see you. We will assess the tooth, explain your options clearly and give you a written treatment plan with no obligation.
Deansgate Dental Studio South Tower, 13 Owen Street, Manchester M15 4YB Telephone: 0161 912 6200 Email: hello@deansgatedentalstudio.co.uk
We are a fully private practice, and new patients are always welcome. For patients in pain, we will do our best to see you the same day.
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