Root canal treatment (endodontics) in Belfast
Root canal treatment removes an infection from inside a tooth. The tooth is then cleaned and filled to prevent it becoming infected again. It is used when infection from decay, gum disease, damage or an abscess reaches the centre of the tooth. Without treatment, the tooth may need to be removed.
Reviewed by Dr Faiz Azizan, who is also the site author, so this is a self-review rather than an independent one. Last updated 2026-10-06. Editorial policy.
What root canal treatment involves
The NHS says root canal treatment removes an infection from inside a tooth, then the tooth is cleaned and filled to prevent reinfection. The dentist gives a local anaesthetic, drills an access hole, removes infected pulp, drains any abscess, cleans and shapes the inside, then fills and seals the tooth. It usually takes 2 or more appointments, each lasting 1 to 2 hours or longer, according to the NHS.
When it is used
The NHS says infection can come from decay, gum disease, damage or an abscess. Without treatment the tooth may need to be extracted. A crown may be required after severe infection. The NHS treatments page describes root canal treatment as available on the NHS and usually needing a few visits, though charges in Northern Ireland follow the Health Service rules there.
Questions to ask a practice
- Will you treat the tooth yourselves, or refer me to a specialist?
- How many visits will I need, and what will each cost?
- Will the tooth need a crown afterwards?
- What should I do if pain or swelling returns?
Belfast-area practices that list root canal treatment
31 practices show this on their own website or Google listing; 22 mores mention it only on a group website, so we do not count them. Whether a practice offers it for you, and at what cost, is for the practice to confirm.
All 31 practices, A to Z
- Abbey Dental Clinic, Newtownabbey
- Affinity Dental Care, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, Lisburn
- Bachelors Walk Dental & Implant Clinic, Lisburn
- Calla Dental + Cosmetic Clinic, Lisburn
- Cherryvalley Dental Care, Belfast BT5
- Crescent Dental Health Belfast, Belfast BT7
- Dunmurry Dental Practice, Belfast BT17
- Fortwilliam Dental Practice, Belfast BT15
- Gate Lodge Dental, Belfast BT15
- Gransha Dental, Belfast BT11
- Greenisland Dental Practice, Carrickfergus
- Greenwood Specialist Dental Clinic, Belfast BT4
- Helens Bay Dental Practice Bangor, Bangor
- Hewitt Curran Dental, Belfast BT8
- John Gilleece, Belfast BT9
- Justin Barnes, Specialist in Endodontics, Belfast BT4
- Kennedy Orthodontics -Belfast, Belfast BT9
- Loughside Dental Practice, Belfast BT15
- M A Irwin Dental, Newtownabbey
- Malone Dental, Belfast BT9
- McHugh Dental Care, Belfast BT11
- Menary Dental, Belfast BT4
- Moira Dental Care, Craigavon
- Morrison Dental Clinic, Belfast BT8
- Mount Oriel Dental Care, Belfast BT8
- N Wright Dental Practice LTD, Belfast BT4
- Rossmore Dental Care, Belfast BT7
- Sandown Dental & Implant Clinic, Belfast BT5
- Stranmillis Dental Surgery, Belfast BT9
- The Portland Dental Practice, Newtownabbey
- Vita Dental Care, Newtownards
Frequently asked questions
What happens during root canal treatment?
According to the NHS, the dentist gives a local anaesthetic, drills an access hole, removes the infected pulp and drains any abscess, then cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth before filling and sealing it. A crown may be needed after severe infection.
How many appointments does root canal treatment take?
The NHS states it usually takes 2 or more appointments, and each appointment may last 1 to 2 hours or sometimes longer. Your dentist can tell you how many visits your tooth is likely to need after examining it.
What can I do about discomfort afterwards?
The NHS suggests managing discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief (ask a pharmacist which suits you), avoiding knocks to your mouth, attending follow-up appointments and keeping up oral hygiene. The NHS says swelling typically settles within weeks. Contact your dentist if you are worried.
How many Belfast-area practices list root canal treatment?
31 listed practices show it on their own website or Google listing, most often in Belfast BT4 (4), Belfast BT9 (4), Belfast BT15 (3). A practice may offer it without publishing it, so ask the practice.
Are the root canal treatment practices ranked on this page?
No. The 31 practices that list root canal treatment are shown A to Z, and each area page lists its own practices alphabetically. Ratings shown elsewhere on the site come from Google and are not a measure of clinical quality.
Sources
- Root canal treatment, NHS (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Dental treatments, NHS (accessed 2026-10-06)