Specialist root canal treatment in Barnet
At Barnet Smiles, our skilled and gentle dental team can perform root canal treatments to save a natural tooth that has become severely infected or inflamed. It’s often the best way to relieve persistent tooth pain and keep your smile complete. With the advancements in dental technology, the process is now more comfortable, precise, and successful than ever before.
What is root canal treatment and when is it needed?
Root canal treatment (or endodontics) removes damaged or infected pulp, which is the innermost part of the tooth and consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This can help to save a tooth that may otherwise have to be extracted.
Damage to the pulp is normally caused by deep decay, a deep filling, excessive wear of the outer layers of the tooth, or trauma. The symptoms of pulp damage can include pain, increased sensitivity to temperature, discolouration of the affected tooth, a metallic taste, gum tenderness or swelling. Sometimes, there may be no symptoms at all.
The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. If this pulp becomes severely infected or inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack/chip, it causes significant pain and sensitivity. The purpose of the root canal is to:
- Remove the damaged or dead pulp tissue.
- Clean and disinfect the internal chamber and canals of the tooth.
- Fill and seal the space to prevent future infection.
Essentially, it’s a tooth-saving procedure that removes the source of the infection, relieving your pain and allowing you to keep your natural tooth for years to come.
Benefits of choosing a specialist root canal in Barnet and Edgware
Deciding to have a root canal in Edgware or Barnet offers several important benefits over having the tooth removed:
- Pain relief: The primary benefit is eliminating the severe pain and discomfort caused by the infection.
- Saving your natural tooth: A root canal saves your tooth from extraction, maintaining your natural bite, chewing ability, and smile.
- Maintaining jaw integrity: Keeping your natural tooth helps prevent adjacent teeth from shifting and avoids the need for a bridge or implant to fill a gap.
- Efficient and comfortable care: Modern techniques mean the procedure is highly predictable, and our focus on patient comfort ensures a relaxed experience from start to finish.
What to expect during your root canal treatment
Understanding the steps involved in your root canal treatment can help ease any anxiety. The procedure is typically done over one or two appointments and is similar to having a routine filling, only it takes a little longer.
- Anaesthesia: First, your tooth and the surrounding area will be completely numbed with local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- Access: A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Cleaning and shaping: Using tiny, flexible instruments, our dentist removes the infected pulp tissue. We then clean, disinfect, and carefully shape the canals.
- Filling and sealing: The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible rubber-like material called gutta-percha and sealed to prevent re-infection.
- Restoration: Finally, a temporary or permanent filling is placed. Most teeth that have had a root canal require a crown to protect the tooth from future fracture and restore full function. We will discuss the best restorative option for you to ensure long-term success.
You may experience mild soreness for a few days afterwards, but this is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief. This procedure is your path to a pain-free, healthy smile!
Meet your dentist
Aishaini Jogarajah (Dentist with special interest in endodontics)
BDS (Hons) King’s College London 2017
PG Cert in Restorative Dentistry Eastman Dental Institute
MSc (Distinction) in Endodontology
After graduating with Honours from King’s College London in 2017, Aishaini spent five years working in general practice across North West London and Hertfordshire. Keen to broaden her clinical experience, she moved to Australia to gain a more well-rounded view of private healthcare.
Now back in the UK, she has completed a Masters in Endodontology and focuses much of her time on complex root canal treatments. Known for her calm and friendly approach, Aishaini is particularly skilled at helping nervous patients feel at ease.
Elective root canal treatment
Sometimes it is necessary to perform root canal treatment on healthy teeth. This is called “Elective Endodontics” and is carried out in situations such as:
- When there is not enough tooth substance present to hold a restoration (such as a crown), a dentist might recommend root canal treatment of the pulp of the tooth, followed by a “post and core” where the pulp is replaced by a metal/fibre post so that the tooth can hold the crown.
- When a dentist needs to maintain the roots of a tooth (e.g. to support a denture)
- In some cases, a root canal can fail and need retreatment, sometimes years after the procedure. This can happen for a variety of reasons; your dentist will be able to explain to you why this has happened and the best course of action.
Taking care of your smile
If looked after properly, your root canal treated tooth should remain trouble-free and last a long time.
Even though the pulp has been removed, the tooth will stay intact as the canals have been sealed, and re-infection prevented. Regular check-ups are recommended so any problems can be detected early.
- Try not to bite down too hard on the tooth during or immediately after treatment
- Keep teeth clean by brushing and flossing twice daily
- Give up smoking
- Avoid sugary food
Book your root canal appointment
Ready to get out of pain and feel the relief from root canal treatment? Contact Barnet Smiles today to book your appointment. Our friendly team will assess your needs and explain how the treatment works. Our patient-centred care means you will receive a first class and caring service in a clean and welcoming environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A common misconception is that root canal dental treatment is painful, but the truth is it's actually designed to relieve pain! Thanks to modern techniques and effective local anaesthesia, the procedure itself is typically painless. You should only feel pressure, similar to having a routine filling. Any severe pain you feel beforehand is due to the infection; the root canal removes that infection. You may experience some mild soreness for a few days after the procedure, but this can be managed with over-the-counter medication.
When performed by an experienced professional or specialist, the success rate of elective root canal treatment (RCT) is very high, often ranging from 90-95%. This means the procedure successfully saves the tooth and prevents future infection in the vast majority of cases. Success relies heavily on thorough cleaning and sealing of the canals, which is why choosing a specialist, who often uses advanced tools like operating microscopes, can significantly improve the long-term prognosis of the tooth.
Endodontics is a specialised field of dentistry focused specifically on the tooth pulp, the tissues surrounding the roots, and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting these areas. While a general dentist can perform simpler root canal treatments, an endodontist is a specialist who has completed several years of advanced training solely focused on complex root issues. They are experts at diagnosing and treating difficult cases, retreatment of failed root canals, and managing dental trauma, often using highly technical equipment.
While many patients are referred to us as a specialist root canal dentist in Barnet by their general dentist, a referral is not always required. If you suspect you have an infected tooth, are experiencing pain, or would simply prefer to seek the expertise of a specialist, you can contact us directly to arrange a consultation.
After your root canal dental treatment, it is important to be cautious for a few days, especially if you have a temporary filling. You should avoid chewing or biting hard foods on the treated tooth until it has been permanently restored with a filling or, more commonly, a crown. The tooth is vulnerable to fracture until the final restoration is placed. It's also best to avoid sticky or very crunchy foods and maintain excellent oral hygiene to ensure the area heals properly and the treatment is a long-term success.