Expert care designed to save infected teeth
Root Canal – or Endodontic – treatment is a form of dentistry designed to save teeth that have become infected right at their heart, when a nerve has died deep in the root canal system. You can relax with Root Canal treatment at East Park Dental in Northampton, because you’re in good hands all the way.
Endodontic treatment at East Park Dental is a lot less invasive and painful than you might have been told – with decades of experience on our side, we’re dedicated to making the whole process as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.
Dr Chris Young
“There are lots of potential causes for the infections which can lead to root canal treatment, such as tooth decay and leaky old fillings, as well as trauma like an accident or fall.”
June, Collingtree
“I’d had a dull ache in one of my back teeth for weeks that I couldn’t ignore. When Jo told me I’d need root canal work, I was initially quite scared because of what people have told me in the past. But I needn’t have worried, the East Park team put me at my ease.”
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic. Many patients find it feels similar to having a filling. The tooth may feel tender for a few days afterwards. Simple painkillers from a pharmacy usually help.
Think of root canal treatment as an ‘extended filling’. At East Park Dental in Northampton, we use local anaesthetic to numb the area before treatment begins. So if you ever feel any pain, tell your dentist immediately. We’ll stop, dress the tooth and then we should be able to continue without any discomfort at your next appointment.
You can usually expect one to two hours of treatment, over one or two appointments depending on the tooth. The further back the tooth, the longer it takes as they usually have more canals.
An extraction is usually cheaper on the day. But replacing the tooth with an implant, bridge or denture adds a lot to the cost. Over time, a root canal and crown often works out as the more affordable choice.
Private prices usually range from around £200 for a front tooth to £900 or more for a molar. At East Park Dental, root canal therapy starts from £483.75, or £386 for plan members once they’ve been on the plan for six months.
A treated tooth with a good crown can last many years with good care. Brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth helps it last. So do regular visits to your dentist and hygienist.
Most of the time, root canal treatment doesn’t change the colour of the tooth, but there are occasions when it can discolour. If this happens, we can explore options like whitening, veneers or crowns with you.
In most cases, saving your natural tooth with a root canal is the better option in the long run. It keeps your bite intact and avoids the cost of replacing the tooth. Extraction may be better if the tooth is cracked, badly broken down or loose from gum disease.
An infected tooth rarely gets better by itself. The infection can spread and cause an abscess, swelling and more pain. In time, the tooth may no longer be possible to save. If you have toothache or swelling, contact your dentist as soon as you can.
Your back teeth are seven times more likely to break after root canal treatment, and broken teeth may need to be removed. So it’s far better to prevent this possibility by helping protect your tooth with a crown.
East Park Dental, where our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We’re Northampton’s leading dental team, offering the widest range of care – from a simple filling to a completely new smile. Our treatments are backed by advanced dental insights, techniques and technologies to make sure we’re a trusted practice at the heart of our community. And it’s all delivered by the friendliest team, with over 100 years experience between us. So go on, smile… you’re in great hands!
