Practice Limited to Endodontics in Finchley, North London

A general dentist can perform straightforward root canals, but you should seek care from a practice with a focus on endodontics for more complex situations. This is the right choice if you have a tooth with complicated anatomy, such as very narrow or curved root canals that are hard to see on standard X-rays. It's also necessary if a previous root canal has failed and you now require retreatment, a more delicate and technical procedure. We often see patients from across North London who have been referred for persistent infection after an initial treatment elsewhere. Other reasons include treating a cracked tooth that's causing pain or managing a traumatic dental injury that has affected the tooth's nerve. Our goal is always to save a natural tooth when possible, and our focused practice gives you the strongest odds of achieving that.

Your first visit is a 60-minute consultation where we diagnose the issue precisely. We use advanced 3D CBCT scanning to get a detailed view of your tooth's root structure, something a standard 2D X-ray can't provide. This helps us plan the treatment with high accuracy. The treatment itself is typically completed in a single appointment of 60-90 minutes. Dr. Reddy performs the procedure using a dental operating microscope, which provides powerful magnification and illumination. This allows him to find and treat tiny, hidden canals that might otherwise be missed, a common reason for root canal failure. A patient from Highgate recently had a molar with four canals, one of which was completely hidden without the microscope. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and is comfortable; most patients report feeling pressure but no pain. After cleaning and shaping the root canal system, it's sealed to prevent any future infection. You'll then be referred back to your general dentist to have a permanent crown placed.

After your treatment, it's normal to feel some tenderness and sensitivity for 2-3 days, which can be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. We advise you to avoid chewing on the treated tooth until you've had a permanent crown fitted by your dentist, as the tooth is weaker and prone to fracture. For the first 24-48 hours, stick to softer foods. Your tooth may feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time, but this should improve. Success rates for primary root canal treatment are very high, often above 90%, but it's important to watch for warning signs. Red flags requiring immediate contact: Call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) if you experience severe pain that isn't managed by painkillers, visible swelling inside or outside your mouth that increases after day 3, an allergic reaction to medication, or if your temporary filling comes out. For emergencies outside these hours, please call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

While our primary goal is to save your natural tooth, there are rare cases where the tooth is too damaged to be restored. This might be due to a severe vertical root fracture or extensive decay. In these situations, the only alternative is extraction. After extraction, the best long-term replacement is a dental implant. An implant is a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, with a crown on top. It functions and looks like a natural tooth and prevents bone loss. Another option is a fixed bridge, which involves placing crowns on the adjacent teeth to support a false tooth. We can discuss these options, but our focus will always be on assessing if your tooth has a good prognosis with advanced endodontic treatment first, as no replacement is as good as your own tooth.

To make an informed choice about your care, whether with us or another practice in Finchley, here are important questions to ask: you use a dental microscope and 3D CBCT scanning for diagnosis and treatment, what is the success rate for this procedure, how many appointments will it take, what are the total costs including the consultation and scan and what is not included such as the final crown, what are your qualifications and experience with complex cases like mine, what are the risks if you choose not to have the treatment, and do you accept private insurance plans like Denplan or Cigna

As a private practice limited to endodontics, we do not offer NHS treatment. The cost of treatment reflects the advanced technology, time, and expertise required to save a natural tooth from extraction. The final fee depends on the complexity of the case and which tooth is being treated. During your consultation, we will provide a detailed treatment plan with a full breakdown of costs, ensuring there are no hidden fees. For example, a patient from Muswell Hill needed retreatment on a molar, which is more complex than an initial treatment on a front tooth, and the fee reflected this. We accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please bring your insurance details to your appointment, and we can help you understand your coverage.