Private Root Canal Therapy in Finchley | Advanced Care

Consider root canal treatment if you have symptoms that signal an infection inside the tooth. The most common sign is a severe, persistent toothache, especially one that throbs or worsens when you lie down. Another indicator is prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that lingers long after the stimulus is removed. You might also notice a tooth darkening in colour, or swelling and tenderness in the gums nearby. Sometimes a small, pimple like bump (an abscess) can appear on the gum. If you notice any of these signs, a consultation is the first step to find out if root canal therapy is the right option to save your tooth.

The process is simple and centers on your comfort. First, you will have a 60 minute consultation using 3D CBCT to view your tooth roots. Next, during the treatment appointment lasting 60 to 90 minutes, the area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. Dr. Reddy uses a dental operating microscope to remove infected pulp tissue. He then cleans and shapes the root canals and fills and seals them to prevent reinfection. A temporary filling is placed. Most patients feel pressure rather than pain. We then schedule a follow-up to place a permanent crown, which protects the tooth for the long term. With a success rate of 85 to 95 percent, the goal is to save a tooth that would otherwise be extracted.

After treatment, expect mild to moderate tenderness for 2 to 3 days as the anaesthetic wears off and the area heals. Manage this with over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is fitted. For the first 24 hours, eat soft foods such as soup, yogurt, and smoothies. You can brush normally but be gentle near the treated area. Attend your follow-up to place the permanent restoration, which supports long term success. Red flags during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7): Severe pain that does not respond to painkillers. Swelling that worsens after three days. A fever above 38°C or feeling unwell. A temporary filling comes out.

The only direct alternative to root canal treatment is tooth extraction. While sometimes necessary if the tooth is too damaged to be saved, we always aim to preserve natural teeth where possible. If a tooth is removed, you would then need to consider a replacement like a dental implant or a fixed bridge. A dental implant is a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, but it involves a longer treatment timeline (4 to 9 months) and higher cost. A bridge uses the adjacent teeth as anchors for a false tooth, which requires grinding down healthy tooth structure. Both are effective, but saving your natural tooth through root canal therapy is often the most conservative and preferred option.

Private root canal treatment at our Finchley practice starts from £750. The final cost depends on which tooth needs treatment (molars are more complex and have more canals) and the severity of the infection. This fee includes the initial consultation, all diagnostic 3D scans, the procedure itself performed under a microscope, and any follow-up checks. The cost of the final permanent crown is separate and will be detailed in your treatment plan. We believe in full transparency with no hidden fees. We are a private-only practice and do not offer NHS services, but we do accept dental insurance plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We can provide documentation to help with claims.

To give you an idea of the process, a recent patient from Finchley had a deep infection in a lower molar. The 3D scan revealed an extra hidden canal that could be missed without advanced imaging. With the dental microscope, Dr. Reddy located and treated all canals in a single 90 minute visit, saving the tooth. Another patient was referred from a Barnet practice for retreatment of a root canal that failed after several years. This required specialist care to remove the old filling material and disinfect the canals, a process more complex than initial treatment. In both cases, saving the natural tooth was the best outcome.

To help you decide, ask these questions when you speak with us or another North London practice. Ask if you use a dental operating microscope for all root canal treatments. What is your success rate for this procedure? Is the cost of the final crown included in the initial quote? How many appointments will the treatment take? What are the signs of a failed root canal I should watch for? Do you have postgraduate qualifications in endodontics? What pain management options do you offer during and after the procedure?