Emergency Root Canal LondonAims to Save Your Tooth & Relieve Pain
Severe tooth pain that won't go away? You may need emergency root canal treatment. Our experienced London dentists can diagnose the problem and often begin treatment on the same day — aiming to relieve your pain and save your natural tooth.
Emergency Root Canal Assessment
New patient offer (usual £95)
- Clinical & vitality testing
- X-rays £20 (£10 members) if needed
- Diagnosis of nerve involvement
- Treatment plan with full cost breakdown
Or call: 020 7183 2362
Emergency Root Canal Treatment at Our London Clinic
Root canal treatment (endodontic therapy) is needed when the pulp — the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels inside a tooth — becomes infected or irreversibly inflamed. This can result from deep decay, a crack in the tooth, or trauma. Without treatment, the infection can lead to an abscess, bone loss, and eventual loss of the tooth.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, our emergency dentists can perform root canal treatment to help relieve pain and save the natural tooth. We aim to begin treatment on the same day for patients in acute pain, including emergency pulp extirpation (nerve removal) to provide rapid relief.
We are open 7 days a week, including late evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 8pm, and weekends. Our clinic at 20 Old Brompton Road is next to South Kensington Tube Station.
Signs You May Need Emergency Root Canal Treatment
Not every toothache requires root canal treatment. However, these signs may suggest that the nerve is involved.
Severe, spontaneous toothache that comes in waves
Prolonged sensitivity to heat that lingers after the stimulus is removed
Darkening or discolouration of a tooth
Tenderness or swelling of the gum near the affected tooth
A persistent or recurring pimple (sinus tract) on the gum
Pain when biting that may indicate a cracked tooth or abscess
The Root Canal Process — Step by Step
Understanding what happens during root canal treatment can help reduce anxiety. Here is what to expect.
Emergency Assessment & X-Ray
We examine the tooth and take a digital X-ray to assess the extent of infection or damage to the nerve. We perform vitality tests to determine whether the pulp is still alive.
Local Anaesthesia
The tooth is thoroughly numbed with local anaesthetic. We take care to help ensure the area is fully numb before proceeding — even when infection is present, which can make numbing more challenging.
Pulp Removal (Extirpation)
An access cavity is made in the top of the tooth, and the infected or damaged pulp tissue is carefully removed from the canal system. This step often helps relieve the acute pain.
Canal Cleaning & Shaping
The canal system is cleaned, shaped, and disinfected using specialised instruments and antimicrobial irrigants to help remove bacteria and debris thoroughly.
Canal Filling & Seal
Once the canals are clean, they are filled with a biocompatible material (gutta-percha) and sealed. This aims to prevent bacteria from re-entering the canal system.
Crown Recommendation
After root canal treatment, the tooth is more brittle as it no longer has a blood supply. A dental crown is usually recommended to protect the remaining tooth structure and restore full function.
Root Canal Myths vs Facts
Myth: "Root canal treatment is extremely painful"
Fact: Modern root canal treatment is carried out under effective local anaesthesia and most patients report that it is no more uncomfortable than having a filling. The pain you are experiencing before treatment is usually far worse than the procedure itself.
Myth: "It's better to just extract the tooth"
Fact: Saving your natural tooth is generally preferable where clinically possible. A natural tooth provides better chewing function, helps maintain jawbone density, and avoids the need for a bridge, implant, or denture.
Myth: "Root canals cause illness"
Fact: This claim, originating from debunked research from the 1920s, has no basis in modern scientific evidence. Root canal treatment is a safe, well-established dental procedure supported by decades of clinical research.
Root Canal Treatment Costs in London
Transparent pricing. Cost varies by tooth type (number of canals). Full breakdown provided before treatment.
| Treatment | Member* | Non-Member |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Assessment (New Patient Offer) | £30 | £95 |
| Dental Examination | £47.50 | £95 |
| Digital X-Ray | £10 | £20 |
| Root Canal — Front Tooth (Incisor/Canine) | from £347.50 | from £695 |
| Root Canal — Premolar | from £397.50 | from £795 |
| Root Canal — Molar | from £447.50 | from £895 |
| Dental Crown (Post-RCT) | from £497.50 | from £995 |
Root Canal Treatment FAQs
Need Emergency Root Canal Treatment?
Same-day root canal treatment available 7 days a week. Aims to save your tooth and relieve your pain.
If you have difficulty breathing, severe uncontrolled swelling, or loss of consciousness, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Meet Our Dental Team
Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.
Registered. Regulated. Trusted.
At South Kensington Medical & Dental, we are fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.
