Root Canal Treatment Costs for West Finchley Patients

The tooth needing treatment is the main cost factor. Front teeth have a single canal and are straightforward, while molars at the back have multiple often curved canals, making them more complex and time consuming to treat. Another factor is complexity; retreatment of a previously failed root canal is more involved. During your initial 60 minute consultation, with detailed digital imaging, we use our 3D CBCT scanner to map the tooth anatomy precisely. This lets us give you a fixed all inclusive quote before any treatment begins, so there are no hidden fees. We typically see root canal treatments with a success rate around 85 to 95 percent, making it a solid long term investment.

A patient from West Finchley was referred by their general dentist for a painful infected upper molar. A standard x ray was unclear, so a 3D CBCT scan showed a hidden fourth canal causing the persistent infection. Using a dental operating microscope for magnification, Dr. Reddy located and cleaned this tiny canal, often missed by non specialists. The treatment happened in a single 90 minute visit. The patient left pain free and saved the tooth they feared might need extraction.

First, you have a thorough consultation with diagnosis using advanced digital imaging and a 3D CBCT scan. This takes about 60 minutes. The treatment is performed under local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain. Dr. Reddy places a rubber dam to isolate the tooth. Next, using a dental operating microscope for precision, he removes infected pulp, cleans and shapes the canals. The canals are filled with a biocompatible material and sealed. The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Finally, a temporary filling is placed. You then return to your general dentist for a permanent restoration, usually a crown, to protect the tooth long term.

After treatment, expect some tenderness for 2 to 3 days, which you can manage with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is fitted. You can brush and floss as normal but be gentle near the area. For the first 24 hours, eat soft foods. Red flags requiring immediate contact: Call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9 to 5, Tue/Thu 11 to 7) if you experience severe, increasing pain after day 3, swelling inside or outside your mouth, an allergic reaction to medication, or if your temporary filling comes out. For emergencies outside these hours, please visit your local emergency department or call NHS 111.

The true alternative is extracting the tooth. This is quicker and initially cheaper, but consider the long term effects. A missing tooth can cause adjacent teeth to drift, affecting your bite and smile. Replacing the extracted tooth with a dental implant or a bridge is more involved and costly later, with implants starting from £2,500. Our approach is to save natural teeth whenever possible. In very rare cases where a conventional root canal has failed and retreatment isn’t viable, a minor surgical procedure called an apicoectomy might be an option we can discuss.

To decide with confidence for your care, whether with us or another practice in North London, here are key questions to ask. First, is the quoted price all inclusive or are there separate fees for consultations, x rays, or 3D scans? Also ask whether the fee covers the root canal only or includes the final crown. It helps to know what technology you use to improve success rates, such as microscopes or CBCT scanners. Finally ask about payment options and whether you accept plans like Denplan or Cigna.