Emergency Dentist London
We provide genuine 24 hour emergency dental care at our practices in London at affordable and competitive costs. Call us now to book an immediate appointment.
Our goal is immediate dental treatment and pain relief, so don't suffer in pain, help is only a call away any time, day or night.
IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY DENTAL APPOINTMENTS AND TREATMENTS 24 HR, 365 DAYS A YEAR INCLUDING CHRISTMAS, NEW YEARS AND BANK HOLIDAYS.
- Experienced UK Qualified Emergency Dentists On Call 24 Hours
- Immediate Appointments Day and Night
- Affordable Dental Care
- Easy Access with various transport links
- Free Parking
- New Patients Always Welcome
- Nervous Patients
- Emergency Number(s) 020 8245 7575 OR 0743 680 9977
Our dentists are all UK qualified and highly experienced and attend ongoing courses in order to keep their knowledge and skills at the forefront of dentistry, ensuring that you get the best available treatment.
We provide 24 hour emergency dental care, the service is provided to local and national patients and is not restricted. If you require an emergency appointment, please contact us on 020 8245 7575 OR 0743 680 9977.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is typically a condition that is causing pain, distress, loss of function or has the potential of worsening should it be left untreated.
There are many different type of emergency dental conditions, varying from typical toothache issue to minor cosmetic issues which typically have no pain.
Toothache
This is the most common emergency and is usually related to changes in the pulp of the tooth:
- Reversible pulpitis. This is usually characterised by a mild and short type pain that can be triggered by changes in temperature and with sweet foods. It usually doesn’t keep you awake at night, and normally requires a trigger. This type of toothache is normally well localised and you are able to tell which tooth it is. Treatment normally involves removal of any decay and placement of a sedative dressing.
- Irreversible pulpitis. This can arise without any triggers, but sometimes triggers can be present as there can be a cross-over from reversible to irreversible pulpitis. The dental pain can be long-lasting, and typically can arise of its own accord disrupting sleep. You may find pain on biting, and occasionally pain being relieved with cold water. Definitive treatment normally is root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth.
Left untreated both of these types of pulpitis can progress, and form apical abcess- this can cause swellings and raised temperatures. Rarely, they can turn very nasty leading to hospitalisation. Other causes of toothache include dentinal sensitivity which can arise from chipped/lost dental fillings, abrasion and gum recession.
DENTAL TRAUMA
There are varying extents of dental trauma, from minor cosmetic issues, to major issues including broken jaws. Dental trauma can arise from many causes including trips and falls to sports injuries and assault. Treatment will be dependent upon the extent of the trauma and how long has passed since the trauma.
Injuries involving the tooth structure:
- Small visible cracks in the surface of the tooth. These may be visible to the naked eye, or in certain light. They normally have no symptoms and require no initial treatment, but should be kept under observation.
- Small enamel chips. These usually occur on biting edges and have no real pain symptoms unless the underlying dentine is exposed. They would either require to be smoothed and polished, or a minor repair with composite resin filling can be done if it is a cosmetic issue.
- Fracture of the tooth and root. There may be sensitivity to cold and pain to the touch and biting. Normally the crack may be visible on a x-ray. Treatment success depends upon your age, the location of the crack and the extent/angle of the crack. It may be possible to initially stabilise the fractured tooth in position, but it will require regular monitoring and further treatment may be required.
- Root fracture. Fracture of the tooth and root. There may be sensitivity to cold and pain to the touch and biting. Normally the crack may be visible on a x-ray. Treatment success depends upon your age, the location of the crack and the extent/angle of the crack. It may be possible to initially stabilise the fractured tooth in position, but it will require regular monitoring and further treatment may be required.
- Complicated crown fracture. This occurs when the crown of the tooth has fractured such that the enamel, dentine and pulp have all been exposed. Pulp capping and a definitive restoration may be possible, but again, this is dependent upon how soon after the injury you attend and the degree of the crack.
Injuries involving the whole body of the tooth. TIME is of the essence.
- Concussion of the tooth. This normally occurs due to a mild knock to the tooth which “bruises” the ligament of the tooth. It normally just requires monitoring. There may be some minor discomfort to touching the tooth.
- Loosening of the tooth or subluxation. This is where the tooth has sustained an impact which has loosened it without displacement of the tooth from the supporting bone. There is normally a bit of bleeding at the gum, the tooth feels a little loose, and it may be tender to touch. Your dentist may suggest just letting it heal on its own accord. If there is extensive mobility of the tooth, you may have a splint placed to help hold it in position for a few weeks. You will require regular monitoring of the tooth.
- Extrusion of the tooth is where the impact has dislodged the tooth vertically. The tooth may appear longer than normal and you may find it difficult to close your mouth. Treatment will normally involve splinting of the tooth, and you will require regular monitoring of the tooth.
- A lateral luxation injury is where the tooth has been displaced in the socket, in a lateral direction. This may be in an internal, external or sideways direction. You may find it difficult to close your mouth. Treatment normally requires splinting of the tooth in the correct position and regular monitoring.
- An intrusive luxation is when the tooth is displaced upwards into the supporting socket. The tooth may appear shorter. Treatment involves manipulating the tooth into the correct position and splinting it in place. Regular monitoring will be required.
- Tooth knocked out completely. This is also known as an avulsion. Ideally you will want to be seen within 60 minutes of the injury. You need to avoid scrubbing the tooth. The tooth needs to be keep moist- you can keep it in your cheek, in the socket itself, in milk or in contact lens solution. In most cases the tooth can be replanted and splinted in place, but successful outcomes are dependent on keeping the tooth wet, undamaged and being seen ASAP. Chances are that you may at a later stage require root canal treatment, and this is why regular monitoring is required.
SWELLINGS AND SWOLLEN FACES
These always need to be taken seriously as they can very quickly get very serious. The most common cause is a previously infected tooth which has been left untreated and has progressed to forming a localised abcess. Left untreated, they can enter the tissues around the offending tooth and progress. Left untreated, other than the visible swelling, there is a risk of it affecting breathing and leasing to hospitalisation.
WISDOM TEETH AND PERICORONITIS
The gum overlying wisdom teeth can occasionally become inflamed and infected. In it’s earlies stages it may be possible to treat the issue by cleaning and irrigation with some antiseptic solution. However, left untreated it may be progress to becoming quite debilitating and causing localised swelling, difficulty in opening the mouth and/or swallowing- at this stage antibiotics will be required.
Bleeding after an extraction
A minor oozing of blood from an extraction socket in the first few hours after an extraction is nothing to be alarmed about. However, if you are experiencing profuse bleeding you will need to see an emergency dentist, and this is a genuine dental emergency. In the meantime, you can try to stem the bleeding yourself by keeping sustained pressure on the bleeding site with a clean gauze, handkerchief or tea bag.
Pain after a dental extraction and dry socket
Discomfort, tenderness and swelling should be expected for about 3 days after an extraction. This normally reduces and responds well to anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or diclofenac.
In some instances, you may experience extreme pain after a dental extraction, and this may be accompanied with a bad taste/smell in the mouth and pain which is radiating to the ear and neck. This is a dry socket. It is much more common in smokers, dental extractions which were difficult to perform, and if you have a previous history of dry socket. It occurs when there is abnormal clotting, or a dislodged clot following the dental extraction. Treatment is fairly straight forward and entails irrigation of the extraction site with some antiseptic and placement of a sedative dressing. You may also be placed on an antibiotic course for a few days.
Pain after a dental extraction and dry socket
What can you do?
For most emergencies it is best to be seen by a dentist as soon as possible.
For pain you can try over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen,paracetamol or paramol, as long as there is no health reason for you not to use them and you use as directed. Ideally avoid aspirin (unless you are taking it upon medical advice), this is in case you do see a dentist and an extraction is planned.
Emergency filling and recementation kits are available, but I find them ineffective long term https://www.boots.com/dentek-temporary-filling-material-repair-kit-10197863
Further emergency advice can be found at:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/dental-emergencies
https://www.denplan.co.uk/~/media/Denplan/files/pdfs/patients/emergency-guide-patients.pdf
https://www.denplan.co.uk/patients/through-my-employer/dental-emergencies
https://www.boots.com/insurance/dental-insurance/boots-dental-plans-faqs
https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/treatment-services/emergency
https://www.dentalhealth.org/
The Emergency Dental Service
The Emergency Dentist service can be provided to patients during and after routine hours when a presenting condition is such that treatment is required to prevent further deterioration and to help with relief from pain. Temporary treatment can be provided for immediate relief, and you may return to your regular dentist or us for completion of treatment or further assessment.
We can provide:
Immediate assessment
Diagnosis of your presenting emergency dental issue
An in-depth discussion with you about treatment options, risks and long term prognosis, and all costs applicable to your choice of treatment
We can take routine dental x-rays
We can provide prescriptions and medications to help with your problem
Dental extractions
Pulp extirpations and root canal treatment
Minor oral surgery in most cases
Dental fillings for lost fillings, broken teeth and traumatic injuries
Nervous patients are welcome
We accept patients from any part of London, Essex or Hertfordshire
How to access this service:
This is an appointment based private service. Please call to arrange an appointment, if you attend without an appointment it may not be possible to see you.
Payments are immediate, and we accept cash and credit card (except American Express)
There is free parking at all times available on the street.
Emergency filling and recementation kits are available, but I find them ineffective long term https://www.boots.com/dentek-temporary-filling-material-repair-kit-10197863
Further emergency advice can be found at: