If you have been told you need root canal treatment, or if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest an infected tooth, BDS Dental offers root canal treatment from our established private practice on Finchley Road in Golders Green, NW11.
Root canal treatment has a reputation for being something to dread — but in practice, a well-administered procedure is generally no more uncomfortable than having a filling. Our aim is always to ensure you are fully informed and completely at ease before, during, and after treatment.
All our dentists are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and our practice is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Inside every tooth, at its centre, is a space called the root canal system. This contains the pulp — soft tissue made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment) is used to remove the affected tissue, clean and disinfect the canal system, and seal the tooth to prevent reinfection.
The goal is straightforward: to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside the tooth is damaged by infection or inflammation. This typically occurs as a result of:
If untreated, the infection spreads beyond the tooth into the surrounding bone, weakening the structures that support the tooth and increasing the risk of losing it altogether. In some cases, infection can spread to adjacent teeth or develop into a dental abscess.
The following symptoms may indicate that the pulp of a tooth has become infected or is dying. If you are experiencing any of these, you should contact the practice as soon as possible:
It is worth noting that in some cases, particularly in the later stages of pulp death, a tooth may stop hurting — not because the problem has resolved, but because the nerve has died. This does not mean treatment is no longer needed.
Your dentist will take an X-ray of the affected tooth to assess the extent of the infection and the anatomy of the root canals. Local anaesthetic is administered before any work begins, ensuring the tooth and surrounding area are fully numb. You should not feel pain during the procedure.
Once the area is numb, your dentist places a small rubber sheet (called a dental dam) around the tooth to keep the area clean and dry during treatment. The infected pulp tissue is carefully removed from within the tooth and each root canal is cleaned, shaped, and disinfected using fine specialist instruments and irrigation solutions. The entire canal system is then filled with a biocompatible material to seal it against future infection.
Depending on the complexity of the case and the number of canals involved, treatment may be completed in a single appointment of around 60 to 90 minutes, or it may require two appointments — for example, where a medicament is placed to continue disinfecting the canals between visits.
Following root canal treatment, the tooth is more brittle than it was before, because it no longer has a living pulp providing moisture and nutrients to the surrounding dentine. For this reason, a crown is usually recommended to protect the tooth after root canal treatment, particularly for molar and premolar teeth that are subjected to significant biting forces. Your dentist will discuss this with you at your appointment.
It is common to experience some soreness and sensitivity in the treated area for a few days after root canal treatment. This is a normal response as the surrounding tissues settle and heal. Over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol is usually sufficient to manage any discomfort.
Most patients return to normal activity the same day or the day after treatment. Avoiding biting on hard foods with the treated tooth until a permanent crown or restoration is in place is advisable.
If you experience significant or worsening pain, swelling, or any other concern in the week following treatment, please contact the practice promptly.
“Awesome! Root canal treatment done today. Felt fully at ease. Comprehensively informed of actions being taken by the dentist throughout the appointment. This greatly helped to reassure me. 12 hours later and I feel perfectly OK. Absolutely no pain. I am actually looking forward to Part II of the procedure to be completed later this month. Great experience today. Thank you!”
— Jonathan Corbett, verified Google review
“I’ve been going to this surgery for decades and have only had positive experiences. This month I needed major work for a cracked tooth and my treatment could not have been any better. From the diagnosis of why my tooth was sensitive to cold to the root canal treatment and fitting of the crown, every aspect of my sessions was painless, easy and planned around my schedule. All the staff are friendly and helpful. I can wholeheartedly recommend this surgery.”
— Barbara Cohen, verified Google review
Root canal treatment at BDS Dental starts from £795. The total cost will depend on the complexity of the case and the number of root canals involved. If a crown is recommended following treatment, this will be quoted separately. Your dentist will provide a clear, itemised cost estimate before any treatment begins.
For a full overview of our treatment fees, please visit our dental fees page. To book an appointment or discuss your symptoms, please contact our team.
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself should not be painful. The area is fully numb before any work begins, and your dentist will check that the anaesthetic has taken full effect before proceeding. Many patients are surprised by how comfortable the experience is compared to their expectations. Some soreness in the treated area for a few days afterwards is normal and typically managed well with standard over-the-counter pain relief.
Yes. Root canal treatment is a well-established, safe, and highly effective dental procedure that has been performed routinely for many decades. It is far preferable to leaving an infected tooth untreated, which risks spreading infection to surrounding bone and tissue, and ultimately losing the tooth. Claims you may have encountered suggesting root canal treatment has systemic health consequences are not supported by credible clinical evidence. If you have specific concerns, please raise them at your consultation — we are happy to address them directly.
In many cases, root canal treatment can be completed in a single appointment. More complex cases — particularly those with a significant infection or where multiple canals are involved — may require two visits, with a medicament placed between appointments to continue disinfecting the canal. Your dentist will give you a clear indication of the likely number of appointments at the outset of treatment.
In most cases, yes — particularly for teeth at the back of the mouth that bear significant biting force. Root canal treatment removes the living pulp from inside the tooth, which can make the remaining tooth structure more prone to fracture. A crown placed over the tooth after root canal provides essential protection and significantly extends the life of the restored tooth. Your dentist will discuss whether a crown is needed and what the options are for your specific tooth.
While a properly treated and sealed tooth is protected against reinfection from within, it can occasionally become reinfected if the seal is compromised, if the crown or restoration fails, or if there were canals that were not fully treated in the initial procedure. This is relatively uncommon. If a previously treated tooth becomes symptomatic again, a retreatment procedure may be possible. Your dentist will assess the situation and advise on the best course of action.
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