Emergency Dental Crown Repair in Finchley

Your crown has fallen out and often causes pain. First, call our practice at 0203 488 0335 to book an emergency appointment. If you can, retrieve the crown, rinse it gently with water, and store it in a small sealed container. Do not attempt to reattach it with household glue, as this can damage the crown and the tooth. A temporary dental cement from a pharmacy might provide short term relief if you are in pain, but professional assessment is essential. Keep the underlying tooth clean by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, and avoid chewing on that side to prevent damage or sensitivity.

Seek an emergency appointment as soon as the crown comes loose or falls off. While it isn’t always painful, the exposed underlying tooth is vulnerable to decay, sensitivity, and fracture. A recent patient from North Finchley came to us after his crown fell off while eating. We were able to see him within two hours, clean the tooth, and re cement the original crown in a single 30-minute visit. It is urgent if you have sharp pain, as this could indicate nerve exposure, or if the crown has broken and left a sharp edge that could cut your tongue or cheek. We reserve slots each day specifically for these urgent cases for patients in the Finchley area.

Your emergency appointment begins with an immediate assessment of the tooth and the crown, which typically takes about 15 minutes. We check for damage to the tooth structure underneath. If the tooth is healthy and the crown fits well, we clean both surfaces and re cement the crown securely, a process that takes another 15 to 20 minutes. If the tooth underneath has decayed or fractured, simple re-cementing isn’t possible. In a case like this, for a patient from Muswell Hill, we prepared the tooth for a new crown. This involved taking a digital scan for our lab and fitting a temporary crown during the first visit, with the permanent one fitted two weeks later. We will explain your options and costs before proceeding.

After your crown is re-cemented, avoid eating hard or sticky foods on that side for at least 24 hours to allow the cement to set fully. It is normal to experience some mild sensitivity, which should subside within a few days. You can brush and floss as normal, but be gentle around the gumline of the treated tooth for the first day. Proper long-term care involves maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent decay from forming around the crown's margins. Call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) if you experience severe pain, if the crown feels loose again, or if your bite feels uneven. For severe pain or swelling outside of our hours, contact NHS 111 or visit A&E.

If the original crown is lost, broken, or the tooth underneath is compromised, refitting might not be possible. We'll discuss the best alternatives for your situation. The most common solution is a new, custom-made crown, which can be crafted from durable materials like porcelain or zirconia for a natural look. Another option for less extensive damage is a porcelain onlay, which covers only a portion of the tooth, preserving more of its natural structure. In severe cases where the tooth is fractured below the gumline, extraction followed by a dental implant or a bridge might be the necessary long-term solution. We'll provide a full assessment and discuss the pros and cons of each option.

The cost of an emergency crown appointment at our private Finchley practice depends on the treatment required. There will be a fee for the initial emergency assessment and any necessary X-rays. If we can simply re-cement your existing crown, this is the most straightforward and lowest-cost option. If a new crown is needed, the cost will be higher and will be quoted to you before any work begins, with no hidden fees. The final price depends on the material chosen for the new crown. We are a private practice and do not offer NHS services, but we do accept dental plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Our team will help you understand your coverage and provide a detailed breakdown of costs.

To make an informed choice about your urgent dental care, here are some important questions to ask, whether you visit us or another practice in North London. Why did my crown fall off in the first place? Do you guarantee the re cementing work, and for how long? If I need a new crown, what material do you recommend and why? What is the total cost, including this emergency visit and any follow-up appointments? How long can I expect the new crown to last with proper care? Would you show me before and after photos of similar cases you've handled?