Urgent dental care · Open today
Opening and Dressing a Tooth
When the nerve inside a tooth is inflamed or dying, opening the tooth releases the pressure and stops the pain. A medicated dressing is sealed inside, making the tooth comfortable and stable until the full treatment is completed.
Same-day appointments · No registration required · Evenings & weekends
What this treatment is
Pressure released, tooth sealed and settled
Severe toothache is usually pressure. As the nerve inside the tooth inflames and dies, it has nowhere to expand, and that is what produces the deep, throbbing pain that painkillers barely touch. Opening the tooth lets that pressure out. We clean the inflamed tissue from the pulp chamber, place an antibacterial dressing and seal it under a temporary filling. The pain normally goes on the day, and the tooth stays comfortable until you decide whether to complete a root canal or have it removed.
- Pain gone before you leave — releasing the pressure inside the tooth is what stops the throbbing, and it works immediately.
- The tooth is kept, for now — nothing is decided under pressure. The tooth is stable while you choose how to finish it.
- Sealed against reinfection — an antibacterial dressing and a temporary filling keep the canal clean between visits.
Signs you need it
Come in if this sounds like your tooth
This is an emergency measure that buys time and takes the pain away. It is the first stage of root canal treatment, not a permanent repair.
Throbbing that wakes you
Deep, constant pain that builds when you lie down and keeps you awake in the early hours.
Painkillers no longer work
Ibuprofen and paracetamol take the edge off for an hour or two, then the pain returns.
Lingering hot sensitivity
A hot drink triggers pain that carries on well after the sip, which points to a dying nerve.
Pain spreading along the jaw
The ache radiates into the ear, temple or jaw, so you cannot tell which tooth it is coming from.
A tooth tender to bite on
The tooth feels raised in the bite and is sore to tap, a sign the inflammation has reached the root.
Pain after recent dental work
A recently filled or crowned tooth that has started aching, days or weeks afterwards.
What to expect
What happens at your appointment
Assessment and radiograph
Step 01
We confirm which tooth is responsible and take a radiograph to check the root and the bone around it.
Numbing the tooth
Step 02
Local anaesthetic is given and we wait until the tooth is fully numb. Inflamed nerves need more, so we take our time.
Opening and cleaning
Step 03
A small access cavity is made and the inflamed pulp tissue is removed, which releases the pressure and the pain.
Dressing and sealing
Step 04
An antibacterial dressing is placed and the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling to keep the canal clean.
Price & appointment length
appointment, from
The fee covers the examination, radiographs, opening and cleaning the tooth, the dressing and the temporary filling. Completing the root canal, or removing the tooth if you decide against it, is quoted separately and confirmed before we start.
| Appointment length | 30–45 minutes |
| Anaesthetic | Local, included |
| Radiographs | Included |
| Dressing and temporary filling | Included |
| Completing the root canal | Quoted separately |
Questions
Before you come in
Not sure if this is what your tooth needs? Call the practice and describe the pain, and we will tell you what to expect.
Will the pain stop straight away?
Usually yes. The throbbing is caused by pressure inside the tooth, and opening it releases that pressure. Some tenderness for a day or two afterwards is normal as the tissues settle.
Is this the same as a root canal?
It is the first stage of one. The tooth is opened, cleaned and dressed to stop the pain. Completing the root canal means filling and sealing the canal permanently, then restoring the tooth, usually with a crown.
How long will the dressing last?
A few weeks to a few months. It is a temporary seal, so the sooner the tooth is permanently restored the better. Leaving it too long risks the filling wearing through and the tooth reinfecting.
What can I eat afterwards?
Wait until the numbness has fully worn off, then avoid biting hard on that side. A temporary filling is not as strong as a permanent one and can chip under heavy chewing.
What if I decide not to complete the treatment?
That is a valid choice, and the tooth will need to be removed instead. The dressing keeps you comfortable while you decide, so nothing has to be settled at the emergency appointment.
In pain today?
Call the clinic or book online. New patients are welcome, and no registration is required.