Severe, throbbing toothache is often caused by an infected or inflamed nerve inside the tooth. Root canal treatment removes the infection, relieves the pain and saves the natural tooth so it does not have to be taken out. Our emergency dentist in Daventry can see you urgently to settle the pain and begin treatment, with same-day appointments where clinically appropriate.
Need urgent help? Call 01327 577023 or request an appointment. Emergency appointments in Daventry from £65 — see our fees.
If you have spreading facial swelling, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, treat it as a medical emergency and call 999.
Signs you may need root canal treatment
- Severe, throbbing toothache, often worse at night or when lying down
- Pain that lingers for minutes after hot or cold food and drink
- Pain when biting or putting pressure on the tooth
- Swelling of the gum, or a small pimple or “gum boil” beside the tooth
- A tooth that has darkened in colour
- A history of deep decay, a large filling or trauma to that tooth
What an emergency root canal involves
The priority at the emergency visit is to relieve your pain. After numbing the area with local anaesthetic, the dentist removes the infected or inflamed nerve tissue from inside the tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and settles the infection. A temporary filling is usually placed and the pain typically eases quickly. The root canal is then completed over one or more follow-up visits, and the tooth is protected afterwards with a permanent filling or a crown. Everything, including costs, is explained clearly before treatment begins.
Does an emergency root canal hurt?
Modern root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so it should feel much like having a filling. For most people the procedure relieves the severe pain they arrived with. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and settles with over-the-counter pain relief.
Root canal or extraction?
Root canal treatment saves your natural tooth, which is almost always better than losing it. The alternative is usually extraction, which we recommend only when the tooth cannot be saved. The dentist will talk you through both options honestly so you can decide what is right for you.
What happens if you leave it?
Some people find the pain suddenly stops. That is rarely a good sign — it usually means the nerve has died, while the infection continues quietly at the root and can develop into a dental abscess. The tooth also becomes more brittle over time, and a tooth that could have been saved with a root canal may eventually need removing.
We help patients across Daventry, Long Buckby, Crick, Braunston, Weedon Bec, Kilsby, Norton, Badby, Staverton and the wider NN11 area.
Frequently asked questions
Does an emergency root canal hurt?
No — it is carried out under local anaesthetic and usually relieves the severe pain you arrived with. Mild tenderness for a few days afterwards settles with over-the-counter pain relief.
Can a root canal be done in one visit?
The emergency visit focuses on relieving pain and settling the infection, often with a temporary filling. The treatment is then completed over one or more follow-up appointments.
How much does root canal treatment cost in Daventry?
The emergency appointment starts from £65. The cost of the full root canal depends on the tooth and how many canals it has, and is explained clearly before treatment begins.
Will I need a crown afterwards?
Often yes, particularly for back teeth. A root-treated tooth is usually protected with a permanent filling or a crown to keep it strong and prevent it fracturing.
Is root canal better than having the tooth out?
In most cases yes, because it keeps your natural tooth. Extraction is only recommended when the tooth genuinely cannot be saved.
Need urgent help? Call 01327 577023 or request an appointment. Emergency appointments in Daventry from £65 — see our fees.
