Severe Tooth Pain
A tooth that throbs when you chew usually needs root canal treatment.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment for lasting relief
Root canals target dental infections at the root, saving your natural tooth and stopping pain at the source. Our qualified dentists treat front and back teeth. Same-day and emergency appointments are available across Harrow, Stafford, and Bournemouth.
4.7 Google rating
730+ verified patient reviews
Location convenience
Choose form 4 clinics
0% financing
Available up to 3 years
Pain management
Sedation options available
Experienced dentists
Clinicians with advanced training
Support for nervous patients
Calm, pressure-free care
Emergency appointments
Urgent dental care available
Private Dentistry Awards
Finalist 2023 · 2024 · 2025
Health-focused consultations
Understand options before deciding
Suitability first
Is a root canal treatment the right call for your tooth pain?
Not all toothaches need root canal treatment. It's a more involved treatment than a filling, so it's worth knowing the signs before you commit.
Lingering Sensitivity
Hot or cold aches that hang around often mean the nerve's affected.
Tender, Swollen Gums
Puffiness around one tooth can signal a deep infection that needs treating.
Cracked Tooth
Once bacteria reach the nerve, a root canal saves the tooth.
Tooth Going Dark
Greying often means a dying nerve, and root canals can help.
A Bump That Keeps Returning
A spot that heals then comes back usually points to an abscess in the root canal.
The treatment journey
How Root Canal Treatment is Done at Complete Smiles
We have a thorough approach to performing root canal treatments, prescribing it only when absolutely necessary.
1Examination
Diagnosis and X-rays
First, we take a look at the tooth and use X-rays to pinpoint the infection and how deep it goes.
2Anaesthetic
Numbing the Area
You'll be given a local anaesthetic, so there's no discomfort while we work.
3Cleaning
Removing the Infection
Next, the infected tissue is taken out and the canals inside the tooth are cleaned right through.
4Sealing
Sealing the Tooth
With everything clean, we fill and seal the canals to keep infection from returning.
5Restoring
Restoring the Tooth
Finally, a filling or crown goes on top to rebuild the enamel strength and bring back function.
Clinician trust
Meet your dentists for root canal treatments
Our principal dentist and co-founder is Dr. Malavi Sivakanesan, who practises in Harrow and oversees the clinical teams in Bournemouth and Stafford. She holds a Master’s in Dentistry from Norway and brings extensive clinical experience to every patient appointment.
Meticulous assessments using scans and X-rays
You will receive a detailed explainer as to why you need root canal treatment
Prices will be clearly explained before treatment begins
Dr. Malavi Sivakanesan
Dentist
GDC 292322
Compare your options
Root canal treatment vs dental filling vs teeth cleaning
Aren’t root canals the same as tooth fillings? Nope, and here’s why.
| Root Canal Treatment | Dental Filling | Teeth Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What It Treats | Infection or damage deep inside the tooth's nerve | Small cavities or minor tooth decay | Plaque and tartar on the tooth surface |
| How Involved | More complex, saves a badly infected tooth | Straightforward, repairs early decay | Routine, preventive maintenance |
| When It's Needed | When decay or infection reaches the nerve | When decay is caught before it spreads deep | For everyday upkeep and gum health |
| The Goal | Save a tooth that would otherwise be lost | Stop decay before it worsens | Prevent decay and gum disease from starting |
Root Canal Treatment
- What It Treats
- Infection or damage deep inside the tooth's nerve
- How Involved
- More complex, saves a badly infected tooth
- When It's Needed
- When decay or infection reaches the nerve
- The Goal
- Save a tooth that would otherwise be lost
Dental Filling
- What It Treats
- Small cavities or minor tooth decay
- How Involved
- Straightforward, repairs early decay
- When It's Needed
- When decay is caught before it spreads deep
- The Goal
- Stop decay before it worsens
Teeth Cleaning
- What It Treats
- Plaque and tartar on the tooth surface
- How Involved
- Routine, preventive maintenance
- When It's Needed
- For everyday upkeep and gum health
- The Goal
- Prevent decay and gum disease from starting
Not sure what you need? The team will advise at your appointment.
Ask the teamTreatment fees
Upfront pricing. Transparent terms.
Your check-up price is fixed. If any additional treatment is needed, we will explain the costs clearly before you decide to go ahead.
Finance options are available. All costs are confirmed before treatment starts.
Ask the teamCompliant Care with Honest Pricing
All cost estimates are provided in accordance with GDC clinical standards. Financing is arranged through FCA-authorised third-party credit providers.
Proven Outcomes
See the change. Notice the Complete Smiles difference.
Our patients share how implants, aligners, cosmetic treatments, and more helped them achieve stunning smiles and regain confidence.
afteral_on_4
Full mouth rehabilitation
Before and after smile restoration with All-on-4 implants.
afterAll-on-4
Smile makeover with All-on-4
Before and after All-on-4 single (upper) arch treatment.
afterComposite bonding
Smile makeover with composite bonding
Before and after improving the appearance of teeth with composite bonding.
afterSingle implant
Fixing a tooth gap with a dental implant
Before and after single tooth implant to replace one missing tooth.
Our Practices
Find your nearest Complete Smiles practice
Four welcoming practices serving patients in London, the Midlands and the south coast.
30 College Rd, Harrow, HA1 1BE
Harrow Town Centre
Our flagship practice in the heart of Harrow, offering a complete range of private dental care.
Dental ImplantsEmergencyInvisalignCosmetic
020 4541 1150
43 High Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill, HA1 3HZ
Harrow-on-the-Hill
Open 24/7
24/7 emergency dentist in Harrow for out-of-hours patients. Also popular for implants and cosmetic dentistry.
After-hours CareDental ImplantsCosmeticOral Surgery
020 4541 1150
5 Small Lane, Eccleshall, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST21 6AD
Stafford
Modern, welcoming care for the local community — from check-ups to advanced restorative work.
GeneralDental ImplantsHygieneTeeth Whitening
017 8533 4822
1 W Hill Pl, Bournemouth BH2 5NX, United Kingdom
Bournemouth
This south coast practice delivers Complete Smiles quality in Dorset, with modern facilities and a friendly team.
CosmeticImplantsInvisalignWhitening
012 0221 0522
Patient questions
Common questions about root canal treatment
Usually when infection or decay gets down to the tooth’s root canal, touch the nerve. You will notice it with severe, throbbing pain and/or tooth sensitivity.
You can't really tell on your own. A dentist takes an X-ray to see how far the damage has gone and whether the nerve's involved. A lot of the time a toothache just needs a filling. We'll only point you towards a root canal if the infection has actually gotten inside the tooth.
No, it's there to save the tooth, not wreck it. Teeth treated with root canals can turn a little brittle as time goes on, so dentists usually place a crown on the treatment site as a protective measure.
Your dentist will suggest alternative treatments if your mind is set on avoiding a root canal. Tooth extraction is usually the only other available option, possibly with antibiotic treatment to clear out the infection. Root canals are only recommended when it is the best and safest option for saving a tooth and treating the infection that causes you pain.
No, but this procedure is done under local anaesthetic. However, it’s not as invasive as oral surgery procedures.
Still have a question before booking?
Get in touch with us directly by phone, email or web form.
The best quality brands for the most reliable outcomes
We use leading dental brands for implants, aligners, and cosmetic treatments trusted everywhere for their safety, precision, and durability.
Got More Questions?
Get in Touch with Us
Fill out our online enquiry form and a member of our team will respond within working hours.
4.7
with 730+ reviews
Send a quick enquiry
Leave your details and our team will help you choose the right next step.
* You do not need to know the treatment name
Need help choosing a dentist or a dental treatment?
Book online, find your nearest practice, or contact the team if you are unsure where to start.