Endodontics & Root Canal Treatment in Marlow, Beaconsfield & High Wycombe

Endodontic treatment becomes necessary when the soft tissue inside the tooth — the pulp — becomes infected or inflamed. This can happen for several reasons:

• Deep decay reaching the nerve — when a cavity is left untreated, bacteria can travel through the enamel and dentine into the pulp, causing infection and significant pain.
• Trauma or a cracked tooth — a knock, crack, or fracture can expose the pulp to bacteria even without obvious decay.
• A failed or leaking restoration — a filling or crown that has broken down over time can allow bacteria to re-enter the tooth and infect the pulp.
• Repeated dental procedures — a tooth that has been worked on multiple times can become sensitive and eventually develop pulp inflammation.

If left untreated, pulp infection leads to severe pain, facial swelling, abscess formation, and ultimately tooth loss. Endodontic treatment removes the source of infection, eliminates pain, and preserves your natural tooth — avoiding extraction and the need for a replacement.

Some patients have no symptoms at all — infection is found only on a routine X-ray. Others experience one or more of the following:

• Persistent toothache, particularly when biting or applying pressure.
• Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed.
• A darkening or discolouration of the tooth.
• Swelling or tenderness in the gum near the affected tooth.
• A persistent spot or small pimple on the gum — this can indicate a draining abscess.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us as soon as possible. Early treatment is simpler, more comfortable, and gives the tooth the best chance of long-term survival.

Dr Anand Mistry holds the qualifications BDS (Lond), MFDS RCSEd, and MSc Endo. He limits his practice entirely to private endodontics — meaning root canal treatment is not just one of many treatments he offers, it is the only one. This level of dedicated focus produces meaningfully better outcomes, particularly for complex cases including teeth with unusual anatomy, calcified canals, or previous endodontic treatment that has failed.

Dr Mistry uses the latest endodontic technology, including operating microscopes for enhanced magnification and precision, rotary instrumentation for thorough canal cleaning, and digital imaging to assess the full anatomy of the root system before and during treatment. Patients consistently report that the experience was far more straightforward and comfortable than they expected.

He accepts referrals from dental practices across Marlow, Beaconsfield, and High Wycombe for cases that require specialist endodontic expertise, as well as treating patients who book directly at Conway House.

Before Treatment

Dr Mistry will review your dental history, take X-rays, and assess the tooth carefully before recommending treatment. In some cases, CBCT 3D imaging provides a more detailed picture of the root anatomy — particularly useful for teeth with multiple or curved canals. You will receive a clear explanation of the procedure, what to expect, and the realistic prognosis for the tooth before anything begins.

During Treatment

The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic — the injection is typically the most uncomfortable part, and even that is brief. A rubber dam is placed around the tooth to keep the area clean and dry. Dr Mistry then accesses the pulp chamber, removes the infected tissue, and carefully cleans and shapes the root canals using precision instruments. The canals are then filled and sealed. Treatment is typically completed in one or two appointments depending on the complexity of the case.

After Treatment

Some mild tenderness in the days following treatment is normal as the surrounding tissue heals. This is usually well managed with over-the-counter pain relief and settles quickly. A root-treated tooth is more brittle than a vital tooth and should be protected with a crown — this is an important step that significantly improves the long-term survival of the tooth.

Root canal treatment saves the tooth — but the work is not finished there. A successfully treated tooth still needs a well-designed restoration to protect it long term. This is where Conway House’s in-house specialist team makes a real difference.

Restorative Dentistry — Crowning the Root-Treated Tooth

A tooth that has undergone root canal treatment loses moisture over time and becomes more prone to fracture. In most cases — particularly for back teeth that bear the load of chewing — a crown is essential to prevent the tooth from cracking. Mr Ashok Vijayakumar, our Consultant and Specialist in Restorative Dentistry (M.Pros RCS Eng, FDS RestDent RCS Eng), designs and places crowns for root-treated teeth at Conway House. This integrated pathway — endodontic treatment followed directly by specialist restorative care — means the transition is seamless and the tooth is protected in the most appropriate way.

Periodontics — When Gum Disease Mimics or Complicates Tooth Pain

Not all dental pain originates from the pulp. Advanced gum disease can cause bone loss around the root that produces symptoms similar to pulp infection — and in some cases, infection can spread between the pulp and the surrounding bone in what is called a perio-endo lesion. These cases require careful diagnosis before any treatment is planned. Dr Mital Patel, our Specialist in Periodontics, works alongside Dr Mistry on these complex presentations to ensure the correct cause is identified and the right treatment is delivered — rather than performing unnecessary root canal treatment on a tooth whose real problem is periodontal.

Oral Surgery — When a Tooth Cannot Be Saved

Most teeth referred for root canal treatment can be saved. Occasionally, however, the infection is too advanced, the tooth is too structurally compromised, or previous treatment has failed in a way that cannot be retreated successfully. In these situations, Dr Mistry will discuss the situation honestly with you. If extraction becomes the best option, Mr Dipesh Patel, our Consultant Oral Surgeon, manages the procedure in-house — and the conversation about tooth replacement (bridge, implant, or denture) begins immediately, so you are never left without a plan.