Emergency Dental Nerve Treatment in East Finchley

This treatment, often a root canal, is needed when the nerve tissue inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. Do not ignore these symptoms. Seek urgent care if there is sharp, throbbing pain that worsens when you lie down, making it hard to sleep. Other definite signs include extreme sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts for more than a few seconds, swelling in the gums around a specific tooth, or a small bump on the gum that looks like a pimple (an abscess). A tooth that darkens after an injury also requires urgent assessment. We recently treated a patient from East Finchley with severe, constant pain and swelling. A same-day root canal provided immediate relief and saved the natural tooth.

The main aim of emergency treatment is to relieve pain. First, we take a digital X-ray or a 3D CBCT scan to confirm the diagnosis, a process that takes about 15 minutes. Next, we numb the area with local anaesthetic so you feel no pain during the procedure, only light pressure. Dr. Reddy, who has an MSc in Endodontics, then uses a dental operating microscope to access the inside of your tooth, remove the infected nerve tissue, and clean the root canals. This part usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. Finally, a temporary filling is placed to seal the tooth. This single visit aims to relieve pain immediately. A permanent restoration is needed at a later appointment.

After the emergency visit, numbness typically wears off within 2 to 4 hours. Some tenderness in the area is common for the next 2 to 3 days and can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent filling or crown is placed. You can brush and floss as usual, but be gentle around the affected tooth. Red flags call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7): - Severe pain that remains after painkillers. - Swelling that grows after 48 hours. - The temporary filling feels loose or falls out. - A fever appears. For emergencies outside these hours, go to the nearest A&E or call NHS 111.

When a tooth’s nerve is severely infected, there are two paths: save the tooth or remove it. The main alternative to root canal treatment is tooth extraction. Removing the tooth eliminates infection and pain but creates issues such as a gap that can cause adjacent teeth to shift and possible jawbone loss. Replacing the extracted tooth with a dental implant or bridge requires additional procedures and can raise long-term costs. Our practice aims to save natural teeth whenever possible, since root canal treatment has a high success rate and is the most conservative approach.

To make a well informed choice during a stressful time, consider asking these questions of any provider in North London: What is the total cost for the emergency treatment and the final restoration? Will I need more than one appointment to finish the treatment? What are the success rates for this procedure on my specific tooth? Who will perform the treatment and what are their qualifications in endodontics? Do you use a dental microscope for precision? What are my options if the root canal fails in the future? This helps you understand the full scope of care, whether with us or another practice.

The cost of emergency root canal treatment depends on the case complexity, such as which tooth is affected since molars have more canals and are harder to treat. After your initial assessment and diagnosis, we provide a detailed treatment plan with a clear breakdown of all fees. There are no hidden costs. A patient from Highgate was referred to us for a complex molar retreatment. We provided a full quote before starting any work, which they appreciated in a stressful time. As a private practice, NHS services are not offered, but we do accept private dental insurance from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact us to discuss your coverage.