Camryn Owen
3 weeks ago"Beyond pleased with this lovely dental clinic. They fitted me in last minute and were so accommodating. Everyone is so lovely and friendly with 10/10 services. Can't recommend enough!"
Dental Abscess
Facial swelling, fever, and pulsating pain? Dental abscess requires immediate treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
Treatment from £125
GDC Registered
4.9★ Google Reviews
Same-Day Available
15+ Years Experience
Facial swelling, fever, and unbearable throbbing pain? You have a dental abscess, a life-threatening infection. This isn't just tooth pain. Untreated abscesses can spread to your jaw, neck, and even brain. If you're experiencing facial swelling or difficulty swallowing, you need emergency treatment within hours, not days.
This is a serious medical condition. An abscess will not go away on its own. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the jawbone, the floor of the mouth, the neck, and even the bloodstream (sepsis). In severe cases, swelling can obstruct the airway, which is life-threatening.
Signs You Have an Abscess
Severe, Throbbing Pain
Pain that doesn't go away and may radiate to the ear, jaw, or neck.
Swelling
Visible swelling on the gum (looks like a boil or pimple) or external swelling of the face and cheek.
Temperature Sensitivity
Extreme pain with hot or cold fluids.
Pain on Biting
You cannot close your teeth together without sharp pain.
Fever and Malaise
Feeling generally unwell, hot, or shivering.
Bad Taste/Smell
If the abscess bursts, you may get a sudden foul taste of salty fluid (pus) in your mouth.
Types of Abscesses
Periapical Abscess
Occurs at the tip of the tooth root. Usually caused by a cavity or crack allowing bacteria to enter the nerve. Requires root canal or extraction.
Periodontal Abscess
Occurs in the gum next to a tooth root. Caused by gum disease or food (like a popcorn husk) getting stuck deep in the gum. Requires drainage and deep cleaning.
Our Emergency Treatment
Painkillers alone are not enough. To cure an abscess, we follow the medical principle: "Where there is pus, let it out."
1. Incision and Drainage
If there is a visible swelling, we numb the area and make a small incision to drain the pus. This relieves the pressure and pain almost instantly. We wash the area with sterile saline.
2. Root Canal Treatment
To save the tooth, we must remove the source of infection. We drill into the tooth, remove the dead nerve and bacteria, and disinfect the canals. This stops the abscess from refilling.
3. Extraction
If the tooth is too damaged or bone support is lost, extraction is necessary. Removing the tooth creates a large pathway for the infection to drain and heal.
4. Antibiotics
We prescribe antibiotics ONLY if the infection is spreading (facial swelling, fever). Antibiotics do not cure the abscess; they only hold back the spread. Physical treatment is always required.
When to go to A&E
If you experience difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, swelling closing your eye, or a very high fever with confusion, go to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department immediately. These are signs of a spreading infection that can block your airway.
Common Symptoms
- Severe, persistent, throbbing toothache
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to the pressure of chewing or biting
- Fever
- Swelling in your face or cheek
- Tender, swollen lymph nodes under your jaw
Treatment Options
- Incision and drainage of the abscess
- Root canal treatment to remove infection source
- Tooth extraction
- Prescription of antibiotics
Treatment Fees
Service
Member Price*
Non-Member
Emergency Assessment
£30
New Patient Offer
X-Ray
£10
£20
Simple Extraction
from £125
from £250
Root Canal (Premolar)
from £297.50
from £595
Root Canal (Molar)
from £322.50
from £645
* Prices are indicative. A full treatment plan will be provided after assessment.
Results
Real Patient Results
Examples of our emergency restorative work.
Before
After
Before
After
Related Articles from Our Blog
Emergency Guide
10 Signs You Need an Emergency Dentist Immediately
Learn the critical warning signs that require urgent dental care.
Comprehensive GuideDental Emergencies in London: Complete 2025 Guide
Everything you need to know about dental emergencies in London.
Pricing InfoEmergency Dentist Costs in London Explained
Transparent pricing guide for emergency dental treatments.
Flexible Ways to See Us
Other Emergency Treatments We Offer
Don't Delay Treatment
Dental emergencies rarely resolve on their own. Early intervention saves teeth and prevents higher costs later.
Emergency Pricing
Treatment starts from
£125
- Emergency Assessment: £30
- Antibiotic prescription: £25
- Same-day drainage if needed
- Extraction from £125
- Urgent appointments available
Our Team
Meet Our Dentists
Experienced professionals dedicated to your care.
Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist and Clinical Director
GDC: 195843
Experienced Principal Dentist focused on prevention and complex surgical treatments.
Book Your Visit
Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
GDC: 197926
Specialist in conservative dentistry and patient-centred care.
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Dr. Andreia Phipps
Dentist
GDC: 229601
Passionate about cosmetic and minimally invasive dentistry.
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Dr. Reza Davari
Dentist
GDC: 302422
Specialises in comfortable, long-lasting prosthodontics with a gentle approach.
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Dr. Narges Ameri
Dentist
GDC: 325081
Expert in prosthetics, cosmetic dentistry, and implant-supported restorations.
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Dr. Louise Carnaby
Dentist
GDC: 302239
Dedicated to minimally invasive and cosmetic treatments to boost confidence.
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Jack Button
Dental Hygienist and Therapist
GDC: 244367
Award-winning Clinical Director committed to first-class hygiene therapy.
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Laila Alhussein
Dental Hygienist
GDC: 328882
Dedicated to promoting oral health and patient comfort in a warm environment.
Book Your VisitPatient Stories
What Our Patients Say
4.9/5 Excellent(Based on Google Reviews)
Huda B
6 days ago"Layla was so kind during my appointment and so considerate with my teeth. I loved how she explained the treatment, made me feel comfortable, and created a safe space. Thank you!"
K D
3 weeks ago"Great treatment with Dr Andreia. Had composite bonding done and can honestly highly recommend it. Perfectly blends with my natural shade and no one can tell anything was done. Thank you for giving my confidence back."
Natalia Tiuleneva
2 weeks ago"Great experience at South Kensington Medical and Dental Clinic. Kind staff, quick appointment, and very fast results. Everything was smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend."
Sabine Arias
1 week ago"Luciana, the Brazilian nurse, is the best. Very kind and super efficient. She took my blood smoothly and made it the best experience. Highly recommend asking for her."
Jennifer Skocz
5 months ago"Amazing experience at this dental practice. Jack really stood out. He was engaging, personable, and made the session comfortable. The cleaning was quick and efficient. 100% recommend."
Shawn-J Dunn
5 months ago"From the moment I arrived, the staff were warm and professional. The clinic is exceptionally clean and modern. The hygienist was gentle and thorough. Highly recommend."
Camryn Owen
3 weeks ago"Beyond pleased with this lovely dental clinic. They fitted me in last minute and were so accommodating. Everyone is so lovely and friendly with 10/10 services. Can't recommend enough!"
Huda B
6 days ago"Layla was so kind during my appointment and so considerate with my teeth. I loved how she explained the treatment, made me feel comfortable, and created a safe space. Thank you!"
K D
3 weeks ago"Great treatment with Dr Andreia. Had composite bonding done and can honestly highly recommend it. Perfectly blends with my natural shade and no one can tell anything was done. Thank you for giving my confidence back."
Natalia Tiuleneva
2 weeks ago"Great experience at South Kensington Medical and Dental Clinic. Kind staff, quick appointment, and very fast results. Everything was smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend."
Sabine Arias
1 week ago"Luciana, the Brazilian nurse, is the best. Very kind and super efficient. She took my blood smoothly and made it the best experience. Highly recommend asking for her."
Jennifer Skocz
5 months ago"Amazing experience at this dental practice. Jack really stood out. He was engaging, personable, and made the session comfortable. The cleaning was quick and efficient. 100% recommend."
Shawn-J Dunn
5 months ago"From the moment I arrived, the staff were warm and professional. The clinic is exceptionally clean and modern. The hygienist was gentle and thorough. Highly recommend."
Find Us
Visit Us in Central London
We are conveniently located next to South Kensington Tube Station.
Contact Details
Central London Address
20 Old Brompton RoadSouth Kensington
London, SW7 3DL
Phone
Opening Hours
Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday By appointment only
How to get here
Tube (Nearest Station)
South Kensington Station (District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines) is just a 2-minute walk.
Bus
Routes 14, 74, 414, C1 stop nearby on Old Brompton Road.
Parking
Metered street parking on Thurloe Place & Exhibition Road.