- 020 8656 6959
- Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm. Saturdays by request only. Sunday: Closed.
Croydon Dental Practice · Saving infected teeth
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth so the tooth can be kept rather than taken out. We provide NHS and private root canal treatment at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road, under local anaesthetic.
Inside every tooth is the pulp, a soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels that runs down through narrow channels in the roots. Deep decay, a crack, a large filling or an injury can let bacteria reach the pulp. It may become inflamed and then die, and infection can spread to the bone at the tip of the root, sometimes forming an abscess.
Once the pulp is badly inflamed or infected it does not heal by itself. The two main options are root canal treatment, which aims to save the tooth, or taking the tooth out. Antibiotics alone do not cure an infected tooth, although they are sometimes used alongside treatment when infection is spreading.
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts for a while after the trigger has gone, or throbbing pain that keeps you awake.
A tooth that feels tender or “high” when you chew or tap it.
A swelling or a small spot on the gum near the tooth, sometimes with a bad taste. If facial swelling affects breathing or swallowing, call 999 or go to A&E.
A tooth that has turned grey after an injury, which can mean the pulp has died. Sometimes there are no symptoms and it is spotted on an X-ray.
If you are in pain, book an emergency appointment (£65). We will find the cause and relieve the pain, then plan the rest of your treatment.
Each appointment typically takes around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the tooth. Front teeth usually have one root; back teeth can have three or four, which takes longer.
Because the tooth is numbed, treatment usually feels much like having a filling, though appointments are longer. If you are anxious, let us know when you book; our nervous patients page explains how we can help. We do not offer sedation at the practice.
It is common for the tooth to feel tender for a few days afterwards, especially when biting. Over-the-counter pain relief suitable for you usually helps. Avoid chewing hard food on the tooth until it has been fully restored.
Root canal treatment often succeeds, but not always. Very curved or blocked canals, cracks in the root and re-infection can affect the outcome, and some teeth need re-treatment, surgery at the root tip or extraction later. Complications are uncommon but include a broken instrument in a canal or a small perforation of the root. Where a tooth is particularly complex, we may discuss referral elsewhere. We explain the outlook for your tooth before you decide.
Taking the tooth out is quicker and cheaper at the time, and sometimes it is the most sensible choice, for example if the tooth is cracked through or cannot be restored. However, losing a tooth can affect chewing, appearance and how neighbouring teeth sit, and replacing it with an implant, bridge or denture involves its own time and cost. Read more about tooth extraction.
Keep the treated tooth clean with twice-daily brushing and daily cleaning between teeth. If a crown has been recommended, try not to delay it, as an unprotected root-filled back tooth is more likely to fracture. Keep up regular check-ups so we can monitor healing on X-rays.
Call us on 020 8656 6959 if pain gets worse rather than better after a few days, swelling develops, the temporary filling falls out, or your bite feels uneven.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| NHS root canal treatment (Band 2, eligible NHS patients) | £76.60 |
| Private root canal treatment | Priced by tooth after assessment |
| Emergency appointment | £65 |
| Private crown (if needed afterwards) | From £495 |
The NHS Band 2 charge covers the whole course of treatment, including fillings and extractions needed in that course; if a crown is needed it falls under Band 3 (£332.10). Private prices vary because back teeth with more roots take longer, and your dentist confirms the cost in writing first. NHS availability varies, so call to check NHS availability.
Spreading the cost: for selected private treatments you can apply for finance through Tabeo, including 0% interest for up to 12 months. Finance is subject to status, and we will explain the options before you commit. See our full price list for other treatments.
Protecting a back tooth after root canal treatment.
Fast help for toothache and swelling.
When a tooth cannot be saved.
Treating decay early, before it reaches the nerve.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
For eligible NHS patients, root canal treatment is part of a Band 2 course of treatment, currently £76.60. Private root canal treatment is priced by tooth after assessment, because teeth with more roots take longer. You get a written quote first.
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, so for most people it feels similar to having a filling. The tooth may be tender for a few days afterwards.
Usually one or two, each lasting around an hour to an hour and a half. Back teeth may then need a separate visit for a crown.
Back teeth often do, as root-filled teeth can become brittle. Front teeth can sometimes be restored with a filling. Your dentist will advise for your tooth.
No. Antibiotics may help control spreading infection, but they do not remove the cause inside the tooth. The tooth needs root canal treatment or extraction.
Some teeth need re-treatment, surgery at the root tip, or extraction. We explain the likely outlook for your tooth before treatment and discuss next steps if problems arise.
Book an assessment for a painful or infected tooth. If you are in pain, call early for an emergency appointment. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
