3D-Guided Root Canal Treatment for West Finchley Patients

Not every root canal needs a 3D scan. It is essential for complex cases where precision matters. We usually recommend 3D guided treatment if you have persistent pain after a previous root canal, as the scan can reveal missed canals or unseen fractures. It is standard care for teeth with unusual anatomy like sharply curved roots or extra canals, common in molars. For West Finchley patients with unexplained tooth pain, a CBCT scan provides answers that 2D X-rays cannot. A recent patient with ongoing infection had a molar scanned, uncovering a tiny fourth canal that had been missed, enabling successful retreatment.

Your treatment is planned to be clear and comfortable. First, you have an initial 60-minute consultation where we take the 3D CBCT scan, which takes less than a minute. Dr. Reddy will map your tooth's anatomy and plan the procedure. The treatment appointment lasts 60-90 minutes. After applying local anaesthetic so you feel no pain, we use a dental operating microscope to see inside your tooth with up to 25x magnification. Following the 3D plan, we clean and shape the root canals and seal them. A final 30-minute appointment is usually needed for a permanent filling or to prepare the tooth for a crown. The whole process is carefully planned and carried out.

After the procedure you may have mild tenderness around the tooth for 2-3 days, which is easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until a permanent restoration such as a crown is placed. You can brush and floss as normal, but be gentle around the area. Long term a root canal tooth needs the same care as any other tooth: regular brushing, flossing, and check-ups. Red flags to watch for include severe pain that does not improve after 3 days, significant swelling, or a fever. If you experience these, call our practice during office hours Mon Wed Fri 9-5 and Tue Thu 11-7. For emergencies outside these hours, please call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

We aim to save natural teeth whenever possible. If a tooth cannot be saved, the alternative is extraction. After removal, the missing tooth should be replaced to stop adjacent teeth from shifting. The best option is a dental implant, which acts like a tooth root but requires surgery and has a higher cost from £2,500. Another option is a fixed bridge, which is faster but requires grinding down the adjacent healthy teeth. During your consultation we will give an honest assessment of your tooth's long-term outlook so you can choose between saving it with root canal treatment or opting for another option.

Because our practice is limited to endodontics, we offer transparent fixed pricing. The inclusion of a 3D CBCT scan is part of our diagnostic process for complex cases. A full personalised quote will be provided at your consultation with no hidden fees. This quote includes the scan, the full root canal procedure, and all necessary follow-up appointments. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS services, but we do accept patients with private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please let us know if you have a policy you'd like to use.

When you speak with a dentist about 3D guided treatment, consider asking why they believe a CBCT scan is needed for your case, what the scan shows beyond a 2D X-ray, whether the scan cost is included in the overall fee, whether they use a dental operating microscope, their success rate with this technology on cases like yours, and the dentist's qualifications.