Root Canal Filling or Tooth Extraction?

nikaso

Hi folks,

I've had pain in my gum for a couple of days so went to the dentist this morning, she took a couple of x-rays and it turns out I have an abscess with quite a bit of decay underneath an existing filling. She has said I have 2 options, Root filling which apparently will involve 4 or 5 long appointments (makes me sick thinking about it!) or extraction (had a tooth out before and wasn't too bad, just had to be gentle with it for a week).

The itemised estimate she gave was as follows:

Root Canal Filling - £240
Small Radiograph(s) - £11
Core Build Up - £55
Post Fit - £85
Porcelain Bonded Crown Fit - £325

Total £716

Or

Extraction £69.50

Now I simply can't afford the RCT as I'm not on any dental plan and to be honest the thought of 4 or 5 long sessions at the dentists strikes the fear of god into me! I've had some painful experiences in the past and really hate it.

I just wondered how the prices compare, my impression and that of my family that go there is since the practice was bought by a new owner about 2 years ago the prices have increased quite a bit.

Sorry for the long post!

Toothsmith

The fact that the filling had so much decay underneath it is probably because it was done in a rush, and the dentist didn't take the time and care that was needed. If a little decay is left under a filling, then it just carries on decaying, unnoticed, until the tooth hurts, falls to bits, or is found on an x-ray by someone with the time to look properly.

Be it an NHS practice, or a private one, the cost of running it is similar.

If a dentist charges an hourly rate that reflects the time it takes to do the job properly, you are much more likely to get good, long-lasting dental work done. If a dentist is up against targets, or has to see more people an hour as his fees are too low, then there is more chance that something will be missed.

The prices you've been quoted are pretty similar to the prices I charge, and - unsurprisingly! - I feel I have the price/time/quality thing about right!!

I would guess this dentist is probably similar.

There's nothing wrong with having a tooth out - In fact, having a tooth out is probably better for you i the long term than having it fixed badly.

nikaso

Thanks for your advice Toothsmith, I am actually quite looking forward in a twisted way to having it out, in my mind it seems thats the problem gone for sure and it won't return!

Toothsmith

Try and join a dental plan once you're 'fit' though, then you'll always be able to make decisions based on what's best for you rather than the cost of it.

sunshine6650

I had a similar situation last week...i had a tooth i thought needed to come out. The dentist now said it can be saved with root canal, at the minute i have the drilling done & a temp filling with a antibacterial thing in it (i went months ago for the drilling, then never went back for the follow up appointments as i was scared so did have an infection) going back next week for the real thing (i had an op @ the hospital for wisdom tooth out & bit of jaw etc so very tender & sore at the min, hense the wait!)

People said just get the tooth out as root canals always come back & haunt you..decided to keep the tooth but the one next to it giving me pain at the minute! worried the dentist was only telling me to keep it to make money!

Toothsmith, Am i doing the right thing? I wanted to keep the tooth but now im worried as from nowhere pain has started on that side of my mouth, i already cant eat on one side after having teeth out on Sunday under general!

Thanks

Ness

Toothsmith

sunshine6650 wrote: »

People said just get the tooth out as root canals always come back & haunt you..decided to keep the tooth but the one next to it giving me pain at the minute! worried the dentist was only telling me to keep it to make money!

Toothsmith, Am i doing the right thing? I wanted to keep the tooth but now im worried as from nowhere pain has started on that side of my mouth, i already cant eat on one side after having teeth out on Sunday under general!

Thanks

Ness

If a root filling is done well, then it can be a good and useful tooth for many years to come. If it's done badly, it will be a right pain right up until it's either taken out, or done properly by somebody else.

A root filling should always be done under rubber dam. It should have either one 60-90 minute appointment, or 2 x 45ish minute appointments at least.

They can be a bit sore afterwards, and infections don't always settle down on the first attempt, but that should mean more appoitments to get it right before finally filling it.

You should NEVER need multiple prescriptions for antibiotics over a period of months. This just means something's not worked, and either the dentist or the patient or both are in denial that something more has to be done.

domdent

Toothsmith wrote: »

If a root filling is done well, then it can be a good and useful tooth for many years to come. If it's done badly, it will be a right pain right up until it's either taken out, or done properly by somebody else.

A root filling should always be done under rubber dam. It should have either one 60-90 minute appointment, or 2 x 45ish minute appointments at least.

.

At our practice a front tooth takes 2 x 40 minute appointments.
A back tooth can take 3 ( 2 x 60 minutes + a 90 minutes) appointments for the root treatment and a further 60 minute for crown prep and 20 minutes for fitting the crown .
Back tooth typical fee £425 for rct/core £330 for white crown

lilac_lady

I think it depends on where the tooth is situated. If it was showing at the front of my mouth, I'd have root canal treatment but if it didn't show, I'd definitely have it extracted.

Toothsmith

lilac_lady wrote: »

I think it depends on where the tooth is situated. If it was showing at the front of my mouth, I'd have root canal treatment but if it didn't show, I'd definitely have it extracted.

There's only so many times you can do that before you run out of teeth to chew on though!

Olympika

Having had extraction from hell after failed RC, I would definitely go with the RC if I could possibly afford it and there was no obvious reason why it wouldn't / shouldn't work. I always used to poo-poo the idea of trying to save teeth if at all possible, but now I would willingly do whatever in order to keep them. And I hate going to the dentist.

ETA - just my personal opinion, am not a dental professional!!

Surfbabe

[EMAIL="I@ve"]I've[/EMAIL] just had my second appointment for root canal treatment - fourth tooth along on bottom front. I've two more appointments to go for crown prep and fitting. Total cost on NHS £198.00. Each apointment for 45 mins although it hasn;t always taken that long. My dentist is brilliant and I've had not discomfort - it was far more painful before I had it done. So I would opt for the RCT.