Emergency Oral Surgery for Golders Green Patients

You should book an emergency appointment with us if you're in the Golders Green area and experiencing issues that are severe but not life-threatening. This includes severe, persistent toothache that isn't managed by painkillers, which could indicate an impacted wisdom tooth. Facial or gum swelling from a suspected dental abscess also requires urgent attention to prevent the infection from spreading. We also handle post-extraction complications like a painful dry socket or bleeding that persists but is manageable. Using our in-house 3D CBCT scanner, we can get an immediate, detailed view of the jaw and teeth to provide a precise diagnosis and plan the necessary surgical intervention without delay.

Certain symptoms are medical emergencies and require immediate hospital attention at your nearest A&E. Do not call us first if you have experienced significant facial trauma from an accident or injury, or have uncontrolled bleeding from your mouth. Swelling in your mouth or neck that makes it difficult to breathe, speak, or swallow is a life-threatening situation that requires A&E. Likewise, if facial swelling has spread to the area around your eye or down your neck, this indicates a severe infection that needs hospital treatment. If you are ever in doubt, call 111 for advice or 999 for a medical emergency.

When you contact us from Golders Green with a surgical emergency, our first step is to assess your situation over the phone and book you a same-day appointment. Your visit, typically lasting 60-90 minutes, begins with a consultation and a 3D CBCT scan. This scan is vital for complex cases like impacted wisdom teeth, allowing us to see the exact position of the tooth, nerves, and roots. Dr. Reddy will then explain the findings and recommend treatment, which could be a surgical extraction or draining an abscess. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable. Our focus is on relieving your pain and addressing the cause of the emergency efficiently and safely.

Post-operative care is essential for a smooth recovery. For the first 24-48 hours, expect some swelling and discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and by using ice packs on your cheek for 20-minute intervals. Stick to a soft food diet, such as soup, yogurt, and smoothies, and avoid hot drinks and chewing on the affected area. It's also important to avoid strenuous activity for a couple of days. We will provide detailed, personalised aftercare instructions. Red flags requiring you to contact us immediately during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7) include severe, increasing pain after day 3, persistent bleeding, or a high temperature. For out-of-hours emergencies like breathing difficulties or uncontrolled bleeding, go to A&E or call 111.

Not all severe tooth pain requires an extraction. If our 3D scan reveals that the problem is due to a severe nerve infection within the tooth, root canal treatment may be the best alternative to save it. Dr. Ashok Reddy's postgraduate training (MSc in Endodontics) means he is highly experienced in these complex procedures. In other cases, if an infection is localised, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed first to manage the infection before a definitive treatment plan is made. We always prioritise saving natural teeth where clinically possible and will discuss all viable, less invasive options with you before recommending surgery.

When you're in pain, it's hard to think clearly. To ensure you're getting the right care, whether at our Finchley practice or another clinic, ask these key questions. What is the total cost for the emergency consultation, scans, and any potential treatment? What are the risks of this specific surgical procedure? What is the expected recovery time and when can I return to work? Are there any non-surgical alternatives we can consider first? What aftercare support do you provide, and who do I contact if I have problems outside of office hours?

We believe in transparent pricing, especially in stressful emergency situations. An emergency consultation fee will apply, which covers the initial assessment and diagnosis. The cost of any subsequent surgical treatment, such as a complex extraction, will be fully explained before we proceed. Prices for surgical extractions can vary depending on complexity. We are a private-only practice and do not offer NHS services. However, we do accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please inform our reception team if you have a policy so we can assist with the necessary paperwork.