Emergency Crown and Bridge Repair in Finchley

If you experience a completely dislodged crown or bridge, a fractured crown or bridge with sharp edges that may cut your tongue or cheek, severe pain or a throbbing sensation from under the restoration, or swelling in the gum around the crowned tooth indicating an abscess, you should seek a same-day emergency appointment. A prompt assessment relieves pain and helps us plan to protect the tooth. For a minor chip without pain or sensitivity, wait for a regular appointment.

Your emergency appointment lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. It focuses on stopping pain and providing a secure temporary fix. We first assess the tooth and the crown or bridge. An X-ray checks the root underneath. If the crown is intact and the tooth healthy, we clean both surfaces and recement it in the same visit. If there is decay or the crown is damaged, we remove the decay, place a temporary filling or crown, and schedule a follow-up to create a new permanent restoration. Our goal is a comfortable patient and a stable tooth.

First, remove the crown carefully to avoid swallowing it. Keep it in a clean, safe container and bring it to your appointment. Do not use superglue to reattach it. If the tooth is sensitive, buy temporary dental cement from a pharmacy to cover the exposed area. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side. This protects the weakened tooth before we see you.

A loose or broken bridge puts stress on the surrounding teeth. Do not wiggle it or chew sticky or hard foods that could pull it off. Clean around it gently and call us for an assessment. A loose bridge may need recementing; a broken one will likely need replacement. We provide a temporary solution to fill the gap and protect the abutment teeth while a new bridge is made.

After we place a temporary fix or recement the restoration, follow these aftercare steps. For the first 24 hours, avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on the affected side. Expect mild sensitivity that should fade in a few days. Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and flossing. A recemented crown lasts for years, but a temporary filling or crown lasts only a few weeks until the permanent restoration is ready. Red flags requiring immediate contact: Call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) if the temporary crown comes off, you have severe, throbbing pain, or swelling increases. For emergencies outside of our hours, please call 111 or visit your nearest A&E.

The cost of an emergency visit for a crown or bridge issue in Finchley depends on the treatment required. A simple recementation is the simplest and lowest-cost option. If a new crown or bridge is needed, the emergency appointment fee covers the initial assessment and temporary solution, with the cost of the permanent restoration quoted separately. A new porcelain bridge lasts 5 to 15 years and is a significant investment in your oral health. As a private practice, we accept insurance plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We provide a fully transparent cost breakdown before proceeding with any treatment.

To make an informed choice about your treatment, whether at our practice or another in North London, here are important questions to ask: Why did the crown or bridge fail in the first place? Is recementing the original crown a good long-term solution, or will I be back soon? What is the full cost for the permanent solution, including all appointments? If I need a new crown, what material do you recommend and why? How long can I expect the temporary solution to last?