Emergency Broken Tooth Repair in Finchley

Acting quickly after a break improves the outcome. Start by rinsing your mouth with warm salty water to clean the area. If you have pain, take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. An ice pack wrapped in a towel and held against your cheek reduces swelling. If you find the broken fragment, store it in a small container with milk or your saliva and bring it to your appointment. Avoid hard foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Most importantly, contact a dentist for an emergency assessment as soon as possible, even if there is no pain, to prevent infection or further damage.

For small chips, especially on front teeth, composite bonding is a fast and effective option. A tooth-colored resin is applied to the damaged area, then shaped and polished to blend with your natural tooth. The procedure usually lasts about 30 to 60 minutes and typically requires no anaesthetic. It restores your smile at a lower cost. For example, a North Finchley patient with a chipped front tooth before a job interview had bonding done that same morning, and the result looked indistinguishable from their natural tooth.

If a tooth is severely broken or has lost a large portion of its structure, a dental crown is often the best solution. The crown covers the entire remaining tooth, providing strength and protection while restoring its shape and function. Using our in-house CAD/CAM technology, we can design, create, and fit a durable, natural-looking ceramic crown in a single visit, a process that takes a couple of hours. A recent patient with a fractured molar walked out with a permanent, custom-made crown on the same day, avoiding a temporary crown and a second appointment.

If the fracture is deep enough to expose the tooth's nerve, you may experience significant pain and be at risk of infection. In these cases, root canal treatment is necessary to save the tooth. The procedure removes the damaged nerve, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it. Afterwards, the tooth is restored with a crown for protection. Dr. Ashok Reddy has extensive postgraduate training, including an MSc in Endodontics, to handle these complex cases with precision.

Your 45 to 60 minute emergency appointment begins with a thorough assessment of the broken tooth. We ask how the injury happened and about your symptoms. A digital X-ray is taken to determine the extent of damage to the tooth root and surrounding bone. Based on these findings, we explain the diagnosis and discuss the most suitable treatment options, along with costs and timelines. For many repairs like bonding or a same-day crown, the treatment is completed during the same visit. If a more complex procedure such as a root canal is needed, we take steps to relieve your pain immediately and schedule the necessary follow-up.

Aftercare depends on the type of repair. For composite bonding, avoid staining foods and drinks like coffee or red wine for the first 48 hours. A new crown may bring some sensitivity for a few days, which is normal. Avoid very hard or sticky foods on the repaired tooth for the first 24 hours to let the bonding set fully. Maintain excellent oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing to prolong the restoration. Red flags—call during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7): increasing or severe pain not controlled by painkillers, a bite that feels off, or a restoration that feels loose or comes off. For emergencies outside these hours, call 111.

The cost of repairing a broken tooth depends on the required treatment. As a guide, composite bonding is the most affordable option, while a dental crown is a larger investment. An emergency assessment fee applies and includes any necessary X-rays. We provide a full, transparent breakdown of costs before starting treatment. There are no hidden fees. We operate as a private-only practice and do not offer NHS services. We do, however, accept plans from major insurers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please contact us to discuss your situation and receive a personalised treatment plan and quote.

To make an informed choice about your care, here are key questions to ask any dental provider, whether it is us or another practice in North London: - What are all my treatment options for this specific break? - How long will this repair last, for example bonding or a crown? - Can this treatment be completed in one visit? If not, how many appointments will be needed? - What are the full costs involved, including the consultation, X-rays, and the final restoration? - What are the risks if I choose not to repair the tooth right away? - What material will you use for the crown or filling, and why is it the best choice for my tooth?