Matthew Bell
Best dental practice we’ve ever had. Had a string of disappointments over the years and Pearly Whites is so well organised and professional.
Biodentine in Fulham
When decay reaches deep into a tooth, Biodentine helps the tooth heal itself and keep its nerve alive, so you can often avoid root canal treatment. We’re one of a small number of UK practices to use it.
- £175, alongside your filling or crown
- With a filling, from £400: a fraction of the cost of root canal treatment plus a crown
- Helps a deeply decayed tooth heal itself
- Around 8 to 9 in 10 teeth stayed healthy with no root canal, in clinical studies
- Keeps your tooth alive, and stronger
- One of a small number of UK practices using it
4.6 from 300+ Google reviewsFamily-run practice on Munster Road, SW6
At a glance
Biodentine at Pearly Whites
- What it’s for
- Deep decay close to the nerve
- What it does
- Helps the tooth protect and repair itself, to help avoid root canal treatment
- Value
- Biodentine and a filling from £400, a fraction of the cost of root canal treatment plus a crown
- Who
- All our dentists use it
Minimally invasive dentistry
A material that works like your own tooth
Under your enamel is a layer called dentine, which protects the nerve at the heart of the tooth. When decay gets deep, only a thin layer of dentine may be left, and the nerve can become irritated. Traditionally, that often led to root canal treatment.
Biodentine is a bioactive dentine substitute. Rather than simply filling the space, it works with your tooth: it seals it, calms the nerve and encourages the tooth to lay down fresh dentine of its own, so the nerve can stay alive and healthy.
How it works
Helping your tooth heal itself
It seals the tooth
Biodentine bonds tightly to the tooth, sealing out the bacteria that cause decay and irritate the nerve.
It fights bacteria
Its naturally alkaline chemistry makes it hostile to bacteria left in the deepest part of the cavity.
It rebuilds dentine
It releases calcium, which encourages the tooth to form a new protective layer of dentine over the nerve.
It’s as strong as dentine
It has similar strength to natural dentine, so it supports the filling or crown placed on top.
Why it matters
Keeping your tooth alive, for a fraction of the cost
A tooth with a healthy, living nerve is a stronger tooth. Root canal treatment can save a tooth when the nerve is infected, but it means removing the nerve, and a root-treated back tooth becomes more brittle and usually needs a crown or onlay to protect it.
In clinical studies, around 8 to 9 in 10 deeply decayed teeth treated with Biodentine stayed healthy with no need for root canal treatment. If the nerve is already badly inflamed or infected, root canal treatment may still be the best option, and we’ll always tell you honestly.
It’s also far kinder to your budget. Biodentine and a white filling are from £400, a fraction of the cost of root canal treatment plus a crown, where the crown alone is from £1,050.
How we use it
When we use Biodentine
Under a deep filling
Most often, as a protective lining over the thin layer of dentine left above the nerve, with your filling placed on top.
Fillings →Under an onlay or crown
For a heavily decayed tooth that needs an onlay or crown, as a lining to protect the nerve underneath.
Crowns and onlays →Directly over the nerve
Sometimes, if a tiny part of the nerve is exposed while the decay is removed, Biodentine is placed directly over it to help it heal.
The story behind Biodentine
From a family business near Paris
Biodentine is made by Septodont, founded in France in 1932 by Annie and Nestor Schiller, and still entirely family-owned today.
Septodont is the world’s leading maker of dental anaesthetic, producing around 500 million cartridges every year, so if you’ve ever been numbed at the dentist, there’s a good chance it was theirs.
After years of research into materials that behave like natural tooth, Septodont launched Biodentine in 2010, the first all-in-one material able to replace dentine. We’re proud to be one of a small number of UK practices using it to save more natural teeth.
Our approach
Embracing the latest in dentistry
At Pearly Whites, we’re always looking for better ways to look after your teeth, and we invest in the latest, proven technology when it means gentler care and more of your natural tooth kept.
Biodentine
Helping deeply decayed teeth heal and keep their nerve.
Curodont Repair
Helping early decay heal, with no drilling and no injection.
Curodont Repair →AI X-ray analysis
Overjet highlights decay on your X-rays, a second pair of eyes that helps us catch it early.
Check-ups →Your appointment
What happens during treatment
Diagnosis
We examine the tooth, take an X-ray and check the nerve is healthy enough to keep, then explain your options.
Numbing
We numb the tooth so you’re comfortable, and you can watch something on the TV above your chair.
Removing the decay
We gently remove the decay, keeping as much healthy tooth as possible.
Biodentine
We place Biodentine over the deepest part of the cavity, to seal and protect the nerve.
Restoring the tooth
We place your filling on top, or prepare the tooth for an onlay or crown, and check it at your check-ups.
Side by side
Biodentine and root canal treatment compared
| Feature | Deep filling with Biodentine | Root canal treatment |
|---|---|---|
| For | Deep decay where the nerve is still healthy enough to keep | A nerve that is badly inflamed, infected or has died |
| The nerve | Kept alive | Removed |
| Your tooth | Stays alive, and stronger | More brittle, so back teeth usually need a crown or onlay |
| Cost | From £400 with a white filling (£175 plus the filling) | Root canal treatment quoted at consultation, plus a crown or onlay from £1,050 on back teeth |
Costs
Biodentine prices
- BiodentineFor the Biodentine alonePearlyPlan members save 10%£175
- White composite filling, simplePearlyPlan members save 10%From £225
- White composite filling, complexPearlyPlan members save 10%From £319
- Porcelain inlay or onlayFrom £87.50 a month with 0% financePearlyPlan members save 10%From £1,050
- e.max or zirconia crownFrom £87.50 a month with 0% financePearlyPlan members save 10%From £1,050
The £175 is for the Biodentine itself; your filling, onlay or crown on top is charged separately. With a white filling, it’s from £400, a fraction of the cost of root canal treatment plus a crown, where the crown alone is from £1,050.
Reviews
What our patients say
jay
Best dental practive in area..✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Nicola Gerhard
Always made to feel valued as a patient, Dr Lia is a wonderful dentist.
john hill
Dr Lia and Nurse Shukri
Practice manager Zahra were all wonderful- I actually look forward to coming to the dentist. All so kind & competent & happy.
Justin Thomas
What a wonderful team! I can’t recommend the Invisalign treatment highly enough in the hands of this capable team. Thank you for all you’ve done over the last few months. A very happy client!
Questions
Biodentine FAQs
What is Biodentine?
A bioactive material that replaces lost dentine, the layer protecting the nerve of your tooth. It seals the tooth and helps it repair itself. It’s made by Septodont, a French family company.
Can Biodentine help me avoid a root canal?
Often, yes. For deep decay close to the nerve, around 8 to 9 in 10 teeth treated with Biodentine stayed healthy with no need for root canal treatment, in clinical studies. If the nerve is already badly inflamed or infected, root canal treatment may still be the best option.
How much does Biodentine cost?
£175 for the Biodentine itself, with your filling, onlay or crown on top charged separately. PearlyPlan members save 10%.
How is it used?
Most often as a protective lining under a deep filling, onlay or crown. Sometimes it’s placed directly over a tiny exposure of the nerve to help it heal.
Does it hurt?
No more than a filling. We numb the tooth first, so you’re comfortable.
Is Biodentine cheaper than a root canal?
Yes, by a long way. Biodentine and a white filling are from £400, a fraction of the cost of root canal treatment plus a crown. On a back tooth, the crown alone is from £1,050, before the root canal treatment itself.
Why does keeping the nerve matter?
A tooth with a living nerve stays stronger. After root canal treatment, back teeth become more brittle and usually need a crown or onlay to protect them.
Will my tooth feel sensitive afterwards?
After a deep filling, some sensitivity is normal and can last as long as 2 to 3 weeks. If it gets worse or you have a throbbing pain, call us.
Do all your dentists use Biodentine?
Yes, all our dentists use it when it’s right for your tooth.
Why don’t all dentists use it?
Only a small number of UK practices use it so far. We use it because it lets us save more natural teeth.
Deep decay or a sensitive tooth?
Book an appointment, and we’ll do everything we can to save your tooth and its nerve.
