Call Us 0151 236 5166
When people ask us, ‘what is a root canal’ we usually tell them “it’s how we’re going to save your tooth”.   Root canal treatment is sometimes the best and only way of saving a damaged tooth. And here at Smileworks we love teeth and don’t like extracting them if we can help it. The proper name for these types of treatments is endodontics – and you may hear them described this way or as root fillings or root treatment.    A root canal is the name dentists give to the procedure of removing infected material from the pulp-filled cavity or root of a tooth if it is damaged by trauma or becomes infected by decay. Cleaning out the cavity with a bleach-like substance and replacing the infected material with inert material saves the tooth and can be done easily by a specialist endodontist or general dentist here in Liverpool.
Sometimes teeth get damaged by trauma or infected by decay. This can be as a result of poor oral hygiene. Bacteria gets through cracks in the enamel and deep down into the tooth root. This is the part of the tooth that is ‘alive’ and is susceptible to infection just like any part of your body. It’s also the part that can cause you pain.
So how does the root of the tooth become infected when it’s below the gum line? Here’s the structure of a tooth and the process of root canal treatment:    
 Tooth decay, broken or failing crowns or even fillings that have failed or fallen out can cause you to need endodontic treatment. Bacteria gets in the little cracks and fissures causes painful infections. Recently placed fillings can cause the nerve of the tooth to flare up. You are more likely to need root canal treatment or get an abscess if you:
Here at Smileworks we are conservative dentists. This means that we don’t like drilling or filing your teeth if we can help it. The reason for this is that as soon as we touch your tooth with the dentists drill, the chances of it failing and requiring subsequent treatment or even removal are dramatically increased.   This is why Braces and adult orthodontics are a better idea than traditional veneers if have the choice and composite bonding is better than porcelain veneers where appropriate as the damage to the individual tooth or teeth is likely to be less.
The root canal procedure involves completely numbing the area and then making a tiny hole in the tooth. A special file is used to carefully removing the infected material from inside the tooth. This is the nerve or ‘pulp’ that is causing you the pain.   Because of the numbing you will not feel a thing. Many people complain that their root canals hurt and this makes here at Smileworks feel very sad. The only reason a root canal should hurt is if it’s rushed. And what we have plenty of here at Smileworks is time. Some molars are innovated by up to six different nerves and our dentists get seriously creative about making sure you won’t feel a thing.     Once you’re numb we can get all the infected material cleaned out the space and then irrigate it or flush it out with a cleaning solution. This is typically a chemical called chlorhexidine (contained in some mouthwash) or a weak hypochlorite solution. And what do we know about hypochlorite? It kills all known germs, dead. So this will give your tissue a good chance of recovering.     The space is then filled in with a special material and the hole is filled in and your tooth is restored to it’s healthy, pain-free and functional old self.  The reason the space is filled in is because any space is liable to fill back up with bacteria. So we use a rubber-like material to fill the space so nothing can get in and cause you any more problems.    Dr Rachel Heaton has an average aggregate rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 based on 49 reviews from Google, Trustpilot and Facebook. Here are some of our favourites: Â
Here are the costs for your root canal treatment in 2024. Remember the reason you are paying is because here at Smileworks we will make sure we take the time to get you numb and do the work using the most advanced materials and machinery available. Dr Rowland-Warmann likens root fillings to cleaning out the cupboard under the stairs through the keyhole, in the dark. Root canal treatments require attention, skill and are often complex treatments so they need to be planned and managed accordingly. So microscopes, special lights, CBCT scanners and apex locators are all a good idea. And then there’s time. Often the difference-maker between pain and failure and happiness and success.
These fees are for the root canal procedure and not a new tooth if one is required.
If you require more than one tooth then just multiply these prices by the amount of root fillings you need or want. Remember that doing nothing is always an option, as is extraction and other less expensive things. So come in to see us and get the full picture.
These are guide prices – if the root canal is particularly complex (such as extremely curved roots, fractured instruments or other complex pathology), fees may vary or you may require a referral to specialist endodontist where the fees will be substantially more. To be clear MJ is a dentist with a special interest in endodontics and not a specialist endodontist.
Fees are quoted at your consultation – here at Smileworks we don’t like surprises so you will know precisely how much you’ll be paying before any work is undertaken.
We understand some work can be expensive. We help you pay with 0%APR finance options. Get an instant result in our office or at home. We offer patient finance through Medenta Finance (subject to age and status, minimum spend applies)
Strong painkillers will help in the short term but they will not fix the underlying issue and there is a strong likelihood that you may become addicted to some painkillers that will, in the end, cause you far more pain and suffering than even the worst visit to the dentist.
If you are an extremely anxious patient and concerned about your treatment, you may elect to be sedated for your root canal procedure. We can arrange this for you; we can discuss the fees involved in this at your consultation. Usually the scariest part of your root canal is listening to Tom Jones for the duration of your appointment (if it’s Dr Rowland-Warmann treating you. Read some of our reviews and see what people usually feel after their treatments with us. You’re in safe hands and we will make sure you are calm and comfortable throughout your appointment.
By the time you need a root canal, the nerve is past saving and needs to be removed along with the bacteria and inflamed material. So ‘saving the nerve’ is impossible.  For more myths see the FAQ section below.
To find us, click the map below or Google ‘root canal near me’.
