Microscope Endodontic Surgery for North Finchley Patients

You are a candidate for this treatment if you have ongoing issues with a tooth treated by a root canal. The main reason is an infection at the tip of the tooth root. This can happen when tiny canal branches were missed or a cyst formed. We also recommend it when a new crown and post block access to the root canal from above. If you have persistent pain, swelling, or a pimple on the gum near the treated tooth, a consultation at our Finchley practice will determine if surgery is the right course of action. With success rates often over 90 percent, it offers a reliable way to save a tooth that would otherwise be extracted.

First you have a 60 minute consultation, including a 3D CBCT scan to map the tooth root structure and surrounding bone. On the day of your surgery, the procedure lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. We start by numbing you with local anaesthetic so you feel pressure but not pain. Next a small gum incision provides access to the infected root tip. Using the dental operating microscope for magnification and light, we remove the infected tissue and the last few millimetres of the root tip. The end of the root canal is cleaned and sealed with a biocompatible filling. Finally the gum tissue is stitched back. A follow up appointment is scheduled a week later to check healing and remove stitches.

A dental operating microscope turns endodontic surgery from a procedure done by feel into one guided by clear vision. It provides up to 25x magnification and strong illumination, revealing details unseen by the naked eye. This matters because it helps us spot tiny fractures or accessory canals that spread infection. It also ensures all infected tissue is removed and the seal at the root tip is perfect, which improves long term outcomes. At our practice every endodontic surgery uses a microscope, a key reason for our high success rates. For example, a North Finchley patient was referred with a persistent infection on an upper molar. The 3D scan and microscope found a small fourth canal that had been missed. We located, cleaned, and sealed it, saving a tooth another dentist had recommended extracting.

Recovery matters. In the first 24 to 48 hours you may notice swelling and mild to moderate discomfort, usually controlled with over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Apply an ice pack to the outer cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to reduce swelling. Eat soft foods for a few days and avoid chewing on the treated side. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting for the first 24 hours to protect the clot. Red flags requiring immediate contact: call our practice on 0203 488 0335 if you have severe or increasing pain after day 3, bleeding that won’t stop, or a fever above 38 C during office hours. Outside these hours call 111 or go to A&E.

When you face a failing root canal, you have a few options. The main alternative to endodontic surgery is non surgical retreatment, which means redoing the original root canal from the top of the tooth. This is often the first choice if it is possible, but it may be impossible if there is a large post and crown in place. The other option is tooth extraction. While this removes the infection, it leaves you with a gap that then requires a replacement like a dental implant or bridge, making the process longer and more expensive. Endodontic surgery aims to save your natural tooth, which is the best option for your overall dental health.

To make an informed choice, here are important questions to ask any provider serving North Finchley. Do you use a dental operating microscope for all procedures? Do you take a 3D CBCT scan before the surgery for planning? What is your personal success rate for this specific procedure? Who performs the surgery and what postgraduate training do they have in endodontics? What are the total costs, including the consultation, scan, surgery, and all follow up visits? What happens if the surgery is unsuccessful? What risks apply to my case?