Advanced Endodontic Care in Finchley

If you have symptoms pointing to nerve inflammation or an infection inside your tooth, seek assessment from a practice focused on endodontics. The clearest sign is a severe, persistent toothache that wakes you at night. Other indicators include extreme sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lasts more than a few seconds, or pain when chewing. You might notice swelling in the gums near a tooth, a small recurring pimple on the gum called a fistula, or tooth discoloration where a tooth looks darker than its neighbours. These signals show the tooth pulp is compromised and require expert assessment to prevent the infection from spreading.

The process aims to relieve pain and restore comfort. First, you have an initial 60-minute consultation with digital imaging and a 3D CBCT scan to map the tooth’s root structure. Then, during the treatment appointment, which typically lasts 60-90 minutes, the area is numbed with local anaesthetic. Dr. Reddy uses a dental operating microscope to access and remove infected pulp, clean the root canals, and seal them to prevent reinfection. A temporary filling is placed, and you return to your general dentist for a permanent crown to protect the tooth long term. For a North Finchley patient with a failed previous treatment, a 90-minute retreatment helped locate a missed canal and saved the tooth from extraction.

We handle cases that general dentists may not treat. We use dental operating microscopes for up to 25x magnification, which reveals details inside the tooth invisible to the naked eye. This is essential for teeth with complex anatomy, finding missed canals from prior treatments, or managing calcified canals. Our 3D CBCT scanner provides a three-dimensional image of your tooth and jawbone, aiding diagnosis and planning. A Muswell Hill patient with persistent pain had a CBCT scan that revealed a tiny vertical root fracture not visible on a standard X-ray, allowing an accurate diagnosis and preventing unnecessary treatment. This technology supports precision and contributes to our high success rates, which align with the 85-95% range for endodontic treatments.

After root canal treatment, some tenderness is normal for a few days as the anaesthetic wears off and healing begins. This is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the crown is fitted. For the first 24-48 hours eat soft foods. You can brush and floss as normal but be gentle around the treated tooth. Most people return to work or normal activities the next day. Long term, a tooth that has had a root canal can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene and a protective crown. Red flags during office hours (Mon Wed Fri 9-5, Tue Thu 11-7): severe pain not controlled by painkillers; swelling after three days; allergic reaction to medication; temporary filling feels loose or comes out.

The only definitive alternative to saving an infected tooth with a root canal is extraction. This removes the infection but creates a gap in your smile. The gap can cause surrounding teeth to shift, bite problems, and bone loss. If a tooth is extracted, it should be replaced. Replacement options include a dental implant or a fixed bridge. An implant is a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, offering a durable solution but it is more costly and involves a surgical procedure with a three to six month healing time. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors for a false tooth, which is often quicker but requires grinding down healthy tooth structure. In most cases, saving your natural tooth with root canal treatment remains the preferred and most conservative option.

To make an informed choice about your care, consider asking any provider, whether at our Finchley practice or another clinic: Do you use a dental operating microscope and 3D CBCT scanning for diagnosis and treatment? What is your success rate for this procedure? How many appointments will the full treatment take? What are the costs, and does the quote include all scans and follow-up visits? What are the risks if I delay this treatment? Will I need a crown after the root canal, and is that a separate cost? Do you accept private dental insurance such as Denplan or Cigna?

As a fully private practice, NHS treatment is not offered. The cost of root canal treatment varies with case complexity and which tooth is affected; molars have more canals and are more complex than front teeth. After your initial consultation and 3D scan, we provide a detailed treatment plan and a full cost breakdown with no hidden fees. We offer transparent fees and reflect the advanced training of Dr. Reddy and the specialised technology we use to achieve the best outcome. We accept private dental insurance plans including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact our reception to discuss your plan and coverage.