What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment saves a tooth when the soft tissue inside it, the pulp, is infected or has died. We remove the infected pulp, clean the canals inside the root and seal them. Then a filling or crown protects the tooth.
The infection usually comes from deep decay or a crack. Without treatment it can cause an abscess and the tooth may be lost. At our Lewisham practice, root canal treatment is carried out by Dr Yulianna Greco, whose work is focused on endodontics.
Why save the tooth?
- It can save a tooth that would otherwise need to come out.
- It stops the infection spreading, which helps protect the rest of your mouth.
- Once restored, your tooth can work like any other for eating and speaking.
- Keeping your own tooth avoids a gap, which can let the bone shrink and other teeth move.
If a tooth can’t be saved, we’ll talk you through tooth removal and replacing it with a dental implant, bridge or denture.
How root canal treatment works
Assessment
A root canal consultation is £69. If your dentist needs a clearer view of the roots, a 3D scan is £119.
Cleaning the canals
Your tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic. We remove the infected pulp, then clean, shape and disinfect the canals.
Filling the canals
The canals are filled with gutta-percha, an inert material that seals them against bacteria. If you need more than one visit, your tooth gets a temporary filling in between, usually for about a week.
Restoring the tooth
A filling or crown seals the tooth and brings it back to its normal shape. This should be done soon, so the tooth isn’t damaged further.
Root canal treatment at SmileUp
- Treatment by Dr Yulianna Greco, who holds a Master of Science in Endodontics
- A dental microscope to see the fine canals inside your tooth
- On-site 3D scanning when your dentist needs to see the roots in detail
- Apicoectomy surgery when a previous root canal hasn’t worked
- Open six days · Mon, Tue until 7:30pm
How much does it cost?
Your dentist confirms the exact cost in a written plan before any treatment starts.
| Root canal treatment | from £660 |
Representative example: cash price £1,595, amount of credit £1,595, first payment of £33.36 taken upfront then 59 monthly payments of £33.21, total cost of credit £397.75, total amount payable £1,992.75 over 60 months, rate of interest 9.9% p.a. fixed. Representative 9.9% APR. SmileUp Limited is a credit broker, not a lender (FRN 727371). Finance provided by Tabeo Finance Limited (FRN 777539). Credit subject to status, UK residents 18+.