Comfortable Root Canal Treatment in our East Finchley Practice

Root canal treatment is needed when the soft tissue inside your tooth, the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. This can happen due to deep decay, a crack, or injury. You should book an assessment if you have sharp, intense tooth pain, especially when biting down. Another clear sign is prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lingers for more than a few seconds. Some people notice their tooth darkening in colour, or develop tender, swollen gums and a persistent pimple-like bump (an abscess) near the tooth root. We reserve same-day appointments during our office hours for urgent cases in the East Finchley area.

Your treatment is designed for comfort and clarity. First, you have a 60-minute consultation with digital imaging and a 3D CBCT scan to diagnose the issue precisely. Next, during the treatment appointment, usually 60 to 90 minutes, the area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. Dr. Reddy removes the infected pulp, cleans the canals under a microscope for accuracy, and seals the space to prevent reinfection. Afterward, you return to your general dentist for a permanent filling or crown to protect the tooth. The whole process from diagnosis to final restoration is usually completed in one or two visits.

A patient from Muswell Hill arrived with severe pain in a lower molar. Our 3D scan showed an infection. We scheduled a same-day 90-minute appointment. Under the microscope, we discovered and treated a tiny fourth canal that is often missed. The patient reported immediate relief after the anaesthetic wore off and kept the tooth they thought would be lost.

A patient was referred from a Highgate dentist because a previous root canal done elsewhere years ago had failed. The tooth caused persistent discomfort. Using our advanced imaging and instruments, we carefully remove the old filling material, disinfect the canals thoroughly, and seal them properly. This saved the patient from an extraction and a costly dental implant.

After your treatment you may feel some tenderness for 2 to 3 days as the area heals. This is manageable with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Avoid chewing directly on the treated tooth until you have a permanent crown fitted. You can brush and floss as normal but be gentle around the area. A root canal treated tooth can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene. Red flags requiring a call: contact our practice immediately if you have severe, increasing pain after day 3, visible swelling inside or outside your mouth, or a fever. Please call during our office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9 to 5, Tue/Thu 11 to 7). For emergencies outside these times, call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

The only alternative to root canal treatment is removing the tooth completely. While extraction is faster and initially cheaper, we do not recommend it as a default. Losing a tooth can cause nearby teeth to shift, bone loss in the jaw, and chewing problems. Replacing the tooth later with a dental implant or bridge is more involved and costly than saving the original tooth. We will discuss this with you so you can make an informed choice.

To ensure you receive the best care, whether here or elsewhere in London, consider asking these questions: Do you use a dental operating microscope for all root canal treatments? What is your success rate for procedures like this? What are the full costs involved, including consultation and scans? What postgraduate training do you have in endodontics? What happens if the treatment does not work? Do you accept private dental insurance plans like Denplan or Cigna?