What Is a Root Canal Treatment?
Ok let's get one thing straight - root canals aren't nearly as scary as people make them out to be! They're basically a dental procedure (sometimes called "endodontic therapy" if your dentist is being fancy) that sorts out infections or damage inside your teeth.
Your teeth aren't just solid chunks - they've got this soft inner bit called pulp. It's full of nerves, blood vessels and all that stuff. When this gets infected - maybe from a really deep cavity or if you've cracked your tooth somehow - it can hurt like hell and might even form an abscess if you ignore it long enough (don't do that!).
What happens during a root canal? The dentist digs out all that infected gunk, gives the canals inside your tooth a proper clean, and seals everything up so no more nasties can get in. Boom - tooth saved!
Loads of people across the UK get these done every year - both NHS and private dentists do thousands of them. And honestly? Despite what your mate Dave probably told you down the pub, they're really not that painful these days thanks to decent anaesthetics and better techniques.
The Root Canal Procedure: Step-by-Step
Still nervous? Fair enough. Knowing what's coming might help a bit:
First Bit: Checking Things Out
Your dentist will have a good look at your tooth and grab an X-ray to see how bad things are. They'll also check out the shape of your root canals (everyone's are a bit different). You'll get a jab of anaesthetic to make sure you don't feel anything - promise! Dead worried about it all? Some places offer sedation options too - maybe worth asking about on OpenDent if that sounds like you.
Getting In There
The dentist makes a little hole in your dodgy tooth to get to the pulp chamber. They try not to drill away more tooth than they have to.
The Cleaning Part
This is where they grab their special little tools and scoop out all the infected pulp. They'll scrape around in those tiny canals to make sure they're totally clean, and shape them ready for filling. Sounds grim, but you won't feel it! This bit is super important - if they miss any bacteria, you could end up back in the chair.
Filling It Up
Once everything's clean as a whistle, they'll pack the canals with this rubbery material called gutta-percha (weird name, I know). This blocks off the space so bacteria can't sneak back in. Then they'll bung a filling in the hole they made to get in there - might be temporary, might be permanent.
Finishing Touches
Most teeth that've had root canals go a bit brittle eventually. That's why your dentist will probably tell you to get a crown fitted to protect it. This usually happens at another appointment - more time off work, great!
The whole palaver typically takes between 30-90 minutes depending on which tooth it is. Molars are a right faff because they've got multiple canals. You'll probably need to rock up for one or two appointments to get everything sorted.
Root Canal Costs in the UK: What to Expect
The million-dollar question (well, hopefully not actually a million)! In the UK, costs vary massively depending on whether you go NHS or private, which tooth needs sorting, and how complicated your particular situation is.
NHS Prices
On the NHS, root canals come under Band 2 or Band 3 charges, depending if you need extras like a crown. As of 2025, Band 2 treatments cost about £70, while Band 3 (the more complex stuff) will set you back around £300. That covers the root canal itself plus any fillings or X-rays they need to do.
Private Prices
Going private gives you more options and usually quicker appointments (no 3-month waiting list, hallelujah). Costs typically range from £200 for a straightforward front tooth up to £600 for a tricky molar. If your dentist takes one look and goes "Nope, too complicated" and sends you to a specialist endodontist, expect to pay anywhere from £500 to a grand.
Extra Bits and Bobs
Don't forget that crown I mentioned! It's usually a good idea after a root canal. NHS crowns are included in that Band 3 fee (£300), but private ones might cost anything from £400 to £800 depending on what fancy materials you go for.
You can use OpenDent to filter for NHS or private dentists depending on your wallet situation. Loads of private places do payment plans these days too - worth checking if you're a bit skint but can't face the NHS waiting times.
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery isn't usually too bad. Here's the score:
- Just After: Your face will feel weird and numb for a few hours. Try not to chew on that side or you might accidentally bite your cheek off without realizing (slight exaggeration, but you get the point).
- Next Few Days: Bit of discomfort or sensitivity is totally normal. Nothing a couple of ibuprofen won't sort out. If you're still in agony after a week though, something's not right - get back on the blower to your dentist.
- Looking After It: Skip the toffees and hard crusty bread for a few days. Keep brushing and flossing like normal, just don't go mental around the treated tooth.
Most people just crack on with their day after treatment. If you've got a temporary filling, don't forget you need to drag yourself back to the dentist to get the permanent one.
Find a Dentist for Your Root Canal Today
A good root canal can sort your toothache, save your chomper, and get you smiling again without that nagging pain. OpenDent makes it dead easy to find a decent dentist for your treatment - whether you're an NHS penny-pincher or happy to splash out on private care. You can search for practices near you, filter by what you're after, and check out reviews from other patients who've been through it.
Fed up with that throbbing tooth? Stop putting it off! Search for root canal specialists in your area today and get it sorted.