Expert Root Canal Treatment for Finchley Central Patients

You may need root canal treatment when the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can result from deep decay, a crack or chip, or repeated dental work. Seek assessment if you have a severe toothache that worsens when you lie down, long lasting sensitivity to hot or cold, a tooth that darkens, or tender or swollen gums. Sometimes there are no symptoms and the issue is found on a dental X-ray. Our practice uses 3D CBCT scanning to diagnose even complex cases for patients from Finchley Central.

First, you will have a 45 minute consultation with digital imaging to assess the tooth. The treatment is performed under local anaesthetic so you should not feel pain. The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Reddy will place a rubber dam to isolate the tooth. He will use a dental operating microscope to locate and clean the tiny canals inside the tooth root, removing infected pulp tissue. Finally, the cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material and sealed to prevent reinfection. The process is designed for your comfort.

After a root canal you may feel some tenderness for 2-3 days, which is easily managed with over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen. Do not chew on the treated tooth until it has a permanent restoration with a filling or crown. Days 1-3: Expect mild to moderate tenderness. Stick to a soft foods diet. You can brush and floss as normal, but be gentle around the treated area. Red flags: call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9 to 5, Tue/Thu 11 to 7) if you have severe pain not controlled by painkillers, visible swelling in or around the mouth, or fever above 38 C. For after hours emergencies, visit A and E or call 111. Long term care: a root treated tooth needs a permanent restoration, usually a crown, to protect it from fracture. With a success rate of 85 to 95 percent, your tooth can last a lifetime with good oral hygiene.

The only alternative to root canal treatment is extracting the tooth. While extraction is faster and initially less expensive, it can lead to long term problems. A missing tooth can cause adjacent teeth to shift, affect your bite, and lead to bone loss in the jaw. Replacing the extracted tooth with a dental implant or bridge is a more complex and costly process. Our philosophy is always to save the natural tooth where possible, as nothing functions as well as your own tooth. During your consultation, we'll explain why saving the tooth is the best option for your long term health.

To choose what's right for you, it's important to ask questions, whether you consult with us or another practice in the Finchley area. Here are some key things to ask: - Do you use a dental operating microscope and rubber dam for all root canal procedures? - What is your success rate for a tooth like mine? - Will I need a crown after the treatment, and is that included in the cost? - How many appointments will the treatment take? - What are the signs of failure I should look out for in the future? - What postgraduate training do you have in endodontics?

As a private practice limited to endodontics, we provide transparent cost estimates after your initial consultation and diagnosis. The fee depends on the complexity of the case and which tooth is being treated. Your quote will include the full treatment, from local anaesthetic to the final filling, with no hidden fees. Please note that the cost of a final crown is separate. We accept private dental insurance plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Our team will be happy to help you with the paperwork. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS treatment.