Root canal treatment removes inflamed or infected tissue from inside a tooth, then cleans, shapes and seals the root canal system so the natural tooth can remain in use. An operating microscope provides concentrated light and magnification throughout the procedure. This can help reveal small canal openings, calcification, previous filling material and cracks that may be difficult to identify without magnification. The microscope supports more precise work, but it cannot make an unrestorable tooth saveable or guarantee that every tooth will heal.
Price from
£280 / tooth
Trips to Bucharest
1
Days in the city
2 to 3
Is root canal treatment right for you
Root canal treatment may be considered when the pulp inside a tooth is irreversibly inflamed or infected. Deep decay, a crack, a leaking restoration, repeated dental work or trauma can allow bacteria to reach this tissue. Possible signs include persistent toothache, pain that lingers after hot or cold, tenderness when biting, swelling, an abscess or a tooth becoming darker. Some infected teeth cause very few symptoms and are first identified during an examination or on an X-ray.
Symptoms alone do not confirm the diagnosis. The assessment may include your history, an examination, cold or electrical pulp tests, tapping and bite tests, gum measurements and dental X-rays. Three-dimensional CBCT imaging is reserved for selected cases where it is clinically justified, such as unusual anatomy, a suspected fracture or a previous treatment that has not healed. A tooth with a vertical root fracture, inadequate bone support or too little sound structure to restore may not be suitable for root canal treatment, even when a microscope is available.
What the microscope changes
A tooth can contain narrow canals, extra canal branches and calcified areas measured in fractions of a millimetre. The operating microscope combines magnification with a focused light source, allowing the working area to be inspected at different stages. It may help locate hidden or calcified canal openings, check the access cavity, identify cracks, remove old root filling material during retreatment and avoid removing unnecessary healthy tooth tissue while gaining access.
Magnification is an aid, not a replacement for diagnosis, training, imaging or careful technique. The number and shape of the canals, the size of any infection, the condition of the tooth and the quality of the final seal all influence the outlook. The microscope is positioned above the tooth and does not enter your mouth. You remain in the dental chair in the usual way while the clinician works through the magnified view.
What happens in the chair
The appointment begins with a review of your symptoms, existing X-rays and any previous dental treatment. The tooth is examined to confirm that root canal treatment is appropriate and that it can be restored afterwards. Local anaesthetic is normally used. A rubber dam is then placed around the tooth to keep the working area isolated from saliva and to protect your mouth while the canals are cleaned.
An opening is made through the top of the tooth or an existing restoration. Under the microscope, the canal openings are located and the inflamed or infected tissue is removed. The working length of each canal is measured, then fine instruments and disinfecting solutions are used to clean and shape the internal space. The canals are dried and sealed, commonly with a root filling material called gutta-percha and a dental sealer. An X-ray may be taken during or after treatment to check the length and completed root filling.
Some teeth can be completed in one treatment appointment. A complex molar, a heavily infected tooth or a root canal retreatment may need two or more. If another appointment is needed, medication may be placed inside the canals and the tooth closed with a temporary filling. The written schedule should allow for the actual diagnosis rather than promising every root canal in a single sitting.
After the root canal is completed
Your mouth may remain numb for several hours. The tooth and surrounding area can feel tender afterwards, particularly if there was pain or swelling before treatment, but this should improve. Follow the aftercare and pain relief instructions provided for your case. Increasing pain, a returning swelling, fever, a bite that feels too high or a temporary filling that comes out should be reported promptly.
A root filling treats the inside of the tooth, but the tooth still needs a sound seal and enough strength for normal use. Depending on how much structure remains, the final restoration may be a bonded filling, an onlay or a crown. A crown is not automatic for every tooth, although it is often considered for a weakened back tooth. If a crown is proposed, its reason and price should be itemised separately. You can read how crowns are assessed on the zirconia crowns page.
Trips, price and timeline
The listed travel plan is one trip with two to three days in Bucharest. This allows time for examination, treatment and a second appointment or review when required. A straightforward tooth may take less chair time, while a molar with complex anatomy, a calcified canal or a previous root filling may need longer. The timetable is confirmed after the tooth and X-rays have been assessed.
The starting figure of £280 is for root canal treatment per tooth. The written quote should identify the tooth, whether the procedure is first treatment or retreatment, the expected number of appointments and whether the final filling, core, onlay or crown is included. If the examination changes the diagnosis, the alternatives and revised price should be explained before treatment begins.
Common questions
How do I know whether I need root canal treatment?
Persistent pain, lingering sensitivity, tenderness when biting, swelling or a darkened tooth can suggest damage to the pulp, but none of these signs proves that a root canal is necessary. A cracked tooth, gum problem or bite problem can cause similar symptoms. Diagnosis normally combines your symptoms with clinical tests and dental X-rays. Treatment should only begin once the affected tooth and the reason the pulp cannot recover have been identified.
Is root canal treatment painful?
Local anaesthetic is normally used, so you should not feel sharp pain while the canals are being treated, although pressure and vibration are possible. An acutely inflamed tooth can occasionally be more difficult to numb, which may require additional anaesthetic techniques. Tenderness for a short period afterwards is possible. Pain that becomes stronger, swelling that returns or feeling unwell should prompt a review rather than simply waiting for it to pass.
Why use a microscope for root canal treatment?
The inside of a tooth is small and can contain extra, narrow or calcified canals. A dental operating microscope improves light and magnification, which can help the clinician locate canal openings, inspect cracks, work around previous filling material and preserve tooth tissue during access. It does not guarantee success and does not replace clinical skill or imaging. Its value is that important details can be seen more clearly while decisions and treatment are carried out.
How many appointments does a root canal take?
The number depends on the tooth, the canal anatomy, infection and whether this is first treatment or retreatment. Some teeth can be cleaned and sealed in one appointment. Others need two or more appointments, with a temporary filling and medication between visits. A back tooth usually has more canals than a front tooth, and a calcified or previously treated canal may take longer. The travel schedule should be based on the assessed tooth, not a fixed promise.
Will I need a crown after root canal treatment?
Not every root-treated tooth needs a crown. The decision depends on the tooth position, the size of the access opening, existing fillings, cracks, remaining walls and biting forces. A weakened molar or premolar may need an onlay or crown to reduce the risk of fracture, while a front tooth with enough sound structure may be restored more conservatively. The final restoration should be planned before treatment and itemised separately in the quote.
Can a failed root canal be treated again?
Sometimes. Root canal retreatment removes the previous filling material so the canals can be cleaned, disinfected and sealed again. It may be considered when infection persists, anatomy was not treated, a restoration leaked or new decay allowed bacteria back into the tooth. Magnification can help with complex anatomy and old materials, but retreatment is not suitable for every tooth. A vertical root fracture or an unrestorable tooth may require a different option.
How long can a root-treated tooth last?
There is no fixed lifespan. Many root-treated teeth remain useful for years, but the outlook depends on the original infection, root anatomy, quality of cleaning and sealing, remaining tooth structure, final restoration, gum support and future care. The tooth can still develop decay or fracture because the outer tooth remains natural. Regular examinations and, when advised, follow-up X-rays help check healing around the root and the condition of the restoration.