Root canal treatment at Smile Dentist

Root Canal Treatment South Kensington

Treatment to save a tooth when the nerve (pulp) inside becomes infected or damaged. Performed under local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout.

Root Canal Treatment

Front Tooth

From £695

From £347.50 member

Molar

From £895

From £447.50 member

Endodontic Treatment

What Is Root Canal Treatment?

Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes infected — through deep decay, a crack, or repeated dental procedures — it can cause significant pain and, if left untreated, may lead to an abscess.

Root canal treatment (also called endodontic treatment) involves removing the infected or damaged pulp, cleaning and shaping the inside of the root canals, and filling them with a biocompatible material. This allows you to keep your natural tooth rather than having it extracted.

The treatment is performed under local anaesthetic. Contrary to common perception, modern root canal treatment is typically no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed.

Signs You May Need Treatment

  • Persistent or severe toothache
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Darkening or discolouration of a tooth
  • Swelling or tenderness in the surrounding gum
  • A recurring pimple (sinus tract) on the gum
  • Pain when biting or chewing

These symptoms do not always indicate the need for root canal treatment. A clinical examination and X-rays are required for proper diagnosis.

The Treatment Process

Root canal treatment is usually completed in 1–2 appointments.

1

Diagnosis & X-rays

We take X-rays to assess the extent of infection and plan the treatment. The procedure, risks, and alternatives are discussed with you.

2

Anaesthesia & Access

The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic. An opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the infected pulp chamber.

3

Cleaning & Shaping

The infected pulp tissue is carefully removed using specialised instruments. The canals are cleaned, shaped, and disinfected.

4

Filling & Restoration

The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material (gutta-percha). A crown may be recommended to protect the treated tooth.

Aftercare Instructions

How to care for your tooth after root canal treatment.

Do

  • Take any prescribed antibiotics or pain relief as directed
  • Eat on the opposite side until the permanent restoration is placed
  • Maintain good oral hygiene — brush gently around the treated area
  • Attend your follow-up appointment for the permanent filling or crown
  • Contact us if pain worsens or swelling develops after 48 hours

Avoid

  • Chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent restoration is fitted
  • Hard or crunchy foods in the first few days
  • Extremely hot or cold food and drinks for 24–48 hours
  • Smoking, which can slow the healing process
  • Delaying the follow-up crown appointment — the temporary filling is not a long-term solution

Risks & Considerations

All dental procedures carry some risks. These are discussed during your consultation.

Re-infection

In a small percentage of cases, infection may return and retreatment or surgical intervention may be needed.

Tooth Fracture

Root-treated teeth can become more brittle. A crown is often recommended to reduce the risk of fracture.

Missed Canal

Some teeth have additional or unusually shaped canals that can be difficult to detect, potentially requiring retreatment.

Discolouration

Root-treated teeth may darken over time. This can be addressed with internal bleaching or a crown if needed.

Transparent Pricing

Root Canal Costs

Members receive 50% off all treatment fees. A written treatment plan with full costs is provided before any treatment begins.

Membership

Join for £20/month and receive 50% off all treatments. View membership details.

TreatmentStandardMember
Root Canal — Front ToothFrom £695From £347.50
Root Canal — MolarFrom £895From £447.50
Crown (post-treatment)From £995From £497.50

Final costs depend on the complexity of the case. A written treatment plan with full costs is provided before treatment begins.

Patient Experiences

Relieving Persistent Pain

A patient presented with a severe toothache that had been keeping them awake at night. X-rays revealed infection at the root of a molar. Root canal treatment was carried out over two appointments, and the tooth was subsequently restored with a crown. At their six-month review, the patient reported no further pain and was pleased to have kept their natural tooth.

Individual results may vary. Treatment outcomes depend on individual circumstances.

Saving a Discoloured Tooth

A patient noticed one of their front teeth had gradually become darker in colour. Examination revealed that the nerve inside the tooth had died following an old injury. Root canal treatment was performed, followed by internal bleaching and a porcelain veneer to restore the tooth's appearance.

Individual results may vary. Aesthetic outcomes depend on individual factors.

Your Dental Team

Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi

Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi

Principal Dentist & Clinical Director

GDC No: 195843

Dr. Kamran Yazdi

Dr. Kamran Yazdi

Dentist

GDC No: 197926

Dr. Andreia Phipps

Dr. Andreia Phipps

Dentist

GDC No: 229601

Meet the full team →

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Us

Close to South Kensington Station (District, Circle & Piccadilly lines).

Address

20 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington
London, SW7 3DL

Telephone

020 7183 2362

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
Sat–Sun: 10am–4pm

Experiencing Tooth Pain?

Book an appointment for assessment. Early treatment can help save your natural tooth.

20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3DL

Compliance & Safety

Registered & Regulated

Our team are fully registered and regulated for practice in the United Kingdom. Our patients should expect nothing less.

General Dental Council (GDC) - UK dental regulatory bodyCare Quality Commission (CQC) - UK healthcare regulator
Expert Dental Care

Meet The Experts

Our hand-picked team of clinicians is dedicated to the art and science of your smile.

Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi - Principal Dentist & Clinical Director at Smile Dentist South Kensington

Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi

Principal Dentist & Clinical Director

GDC: 195843

Meticulous preventative care meets high-quality cosmetic dentistry. Yasha offers complicated surgical extractions, complex treatments, and smile makeovers.

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Dr. Kamran Yazdi - Dentist at Smile Dentist South Kensington

Dr. Kamran Yazdi

Dentist

GDC: 197926

Conservative dentistry specialist with postgraduate degrees from UCL Eastman. Believes in preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.

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Dr. Andreia Phipps

Dentist

GDC: 229601

Friendly and enthusiastic dentist passionate about cosmetic and aesthetic restorative dentistry. Patient-centred care is at the heart of everything she does.

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Dr. Reza Davari

Dentist

GDC: 302422

Award-winning dentist with the London Gold Medal. Combines advanced clinical skill with a calm, gentle manner.

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Dr. Narges Ameri - Dentist at Smile Dentist South Kensington

Dr. Narges Ameri

Dentist

GDC: 325081

Specialist-trained prosthodontist and implantologist. Former Assistant Professor at Tehran University with expertise in complex restorative cases.

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Jack Button - Dental Hygienist & Dental Therapist at Smile Dentist South Kensington

Jack Button

Dental Hygienist & Dental Therapist

GDC: 244367

Clinical Director and only Dental Hygienist awarded Fellowship to the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.

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Laila Alhussein - Dental Hygienist at Smile Dentist South Kensington

Laila Alhussein

Dental Hygienist

GDC: 328882

UCL-trained hygienist dedicated to promoting oral health in a warm, welcoming environment. Passionate about patient comfort and connection.

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Meet Full Team
Transformations

Real People, Real Smiles

We take pride in changing lives, one smile at a time. Browse our gallery of recent case studies.

Before Restoring a Chipped Front Tooth - patient presentationBEFORE
After Restoring a Chipped Front Tooth - dental transformation resultAFTER

Restoring a Chipped Front Tooth

A patient attended our clinic for an emergency appointment after chipping her upper left front tooth. Fortunately, the tooth was not painful or sensitive, but the chip significantly affected the appearance of her smile.

Before Transforming Discoloured & Chipped Teeth - patient presentationBEFORE
After Transforming Discoloured & Chipped Teeth - dental transformation resultAFTER

Transforming Discoloured & Chipped Teeth

The patient attended a consultation unhappy with the appearance of her upper front teeth. Her upper right central incisor (UR1) was noticeably discoloured, and both central incisors had small chips affecting the overall aesthetics of her smile. She explained that she had fallen on her teeth when she was younger, which pushed the UR1 slightly backwards. Over time, the tooth became non-vital and eventually required root canal treatment. Although the tooth was symptomless, it still appeared darker than the neighbouring teeth.

*Actual patient results. Individual results may vary. No treatment outcome is guaranteed. A full consultation is required before any treatment.