Emergency Dental Crown Appointments in North London

You should seek an emergency appointment if you've experienced a sudden dental issue with a new or existing crown. This is the right step if your crown has completely fallen off, exposing the sensitive tooth underneath, or if a large piece of the crown has fractured. It's also an emergency if the tooth under the crown has broken or if you're feeling sharp, persistent pain from a crowned tooth, which could indicate underlying decay or nerve issues. We recently had a patient from Muswell Hill who lost a crown the day before a family wedding; we saw them within two hours to fit a secure temporary crown, allowing them to enjoy the event without discomfort or worry.

Your emergency visit is focused on immediate relief and protection. First, we'll spend about 15-20 minutes assessing the tooth and taking a digital X-ray to check the root and surrounding bone. Next, if you're in pain, we'll administer local anaesthetic to make you comfortable. We will then clean the tooth and remove any decay. In most cases, we'll take an impression and fit a custom-made temporary crown during this 60-minute appointment. This temporary solution protects the tooth and restores your appearance. Finally, we'll schedule a follow-up appointment, typically 2 weeks later, for the fitting of your permanent, lab-fabricated crown. The priority of the first visit is to stabilise the situation.

After your temporary crown is fitted, you'll need to be careful for a few weeks. For the first 24 hours, avoid chewing on the affected side. Stick to soft foods like soup, yoghurt, and pasta. It's normal to feel some mild sensitivity, which should subside. When flossing, be sure to slide the floss out sideways rather than pulling it up to avoid dislodging the temporary crown. A temporary crown is not as strong as a permanent one, so avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods until your permanent crown is fitted. Red flags requiring a call: If your temporary crown comes off, or if you experience severe, throbbing pain that doesn't improve, call our practice immediately during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7). For out-of-hours emergencies with uncontrollable pain or swelling, visit A&E or call 111 for advice.

As a fully private practice, we provide transparent pricing. An emergency assessment and fitting of a temporary crown will have a set fee, which will be explained before any treatment begins. This initial cost covers the emergency visit, assessment, X-rays, and the temporary restoration. The cost of the final, permanent crown is a separate fee, as it is custom-made in a dental laboratory from high-quality materials like ceramic or zirconia. Dental crowns have a very high success rate, with studies showing over 90% last for more than 10 years with proper care. We accept private dental insurance from providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We'll provide all necessary documentation for your claim.

To ensure you get the best care, whether at our practice or another in North London, here are some key questions to ask. First, what is the total cost, including the assessment, temporary crown, and the final permanent crown? Ask what material they recommend for the permanent crown and why. It's also important to know the full timeline – how long until the permanent crown can be fitted? You should also ask what happens if the tooth underneath has decay, and if that will involve extra costs or procedures. Finally, ask about their follow-up care and if there is any guarantee on the permanent crown.