Root Canal Filling or Tooth Extraction?

jmjspurs1

I queried having to pay again but she said yes and it was additional, might not be so bad if it was the difference of what ive already paid and what she wants to charge. I would rather save my tooth but finances are the issue.

Teerah

Was this NHS or private? Regardless, I disagree with having to pay again if it never settled for you. Can she refer you to a dental hospital to have it redone there?

jmjspurs1

Its NHS, i just seem to always be paying. Paid in Aug to have root canal done, paid on oct when went back as didnt feel had worked, asked to come back in 3 months and i paid again. Now gotta decide what to do. As the pain is mostly sensitive with hot drinks can i delay treatment while im trying to save money or should it be done now (altho today hasnt hurt at all!!)
I hate making decisions!!!

veronarona

I had a difficult root canal done to an upper molar. It remained sensitive, with low grade infection, for many months (more?) and I was so relieved when I eventually had it out. It was then not my only missing tooth and I had a small plate done, I was amazed at how effective this was and wished I'd never gone through all the pallaver of the root canal work.

I was not a paying customer, so I didn't have recourse to other options, and I always get the feeling that my dentist does the "minimum legal requirements" for me.

veronarona

jmjspurs1

Can anyone explain to me the charges, i paid about £45 to have the root canal done, why would she now be saying she can redo it herself for about £200? Is she charging that as a private patient? If so why cant it be done on the nhs a second time? would i need a crown if re done (not sure what a crown is or how its done)
Really dont understand the charges system.

Fen1

Hello.

I'm having problems with a molar as well, so would appreciate some input, if I may ask.

About 6 years ago I was having trouble with a molar. My then dentist said that if I ever had trouble with that tooth again it would have to be a root canal.

I then moved house and dentist.

In the summer my tooth started hurting. I went to my new dentist and explained that I would require a root canal as advised by my old dentist.

1. He put varnish on the tooth to try and hold it together, rather than the root canal as requested.

2. I went back the following week in pain. He did a filling.

3. The injection points became infected. I had an emergency appointment for anti-biotics. He could not do any more work on my tooth until the infections cleared,

4. He performed the first part of the root canal.

5. For the second part of the root canal he gave me much less anaesthetic as he thought it would be the 'finishing job'. It was not. He had to proceed with more of the root canal and I was in pain.

6. The job was actually finished the third time, again with not enough anaesthetic.

7. The tooth did not settle and the filling had to be ground down.

Currently, my tooth is sensitive and sensitive to hot foods. ANother crack has appeared in the tooth in the last month.

I am obviously not happy with the pain and the traipsing back and forth to the dentist over the last 6 months. Any opinions?

jmjspurs1

I know how you feel with the sensitivity, luckily i dont have a lot of pain.
I have since rung my PCT and have been advised as she did the first root canal on nhs she should re do it on nhs, this could make it more affordable for me but my dentist hasnt rung back despite leaving a couple of messages.

jmjspurs1

Thats why im hesitant to have it done again as it might be worse ( i really cant afford endodentist)
I had to really psych myself up to have it done forst time let alone again and having to keep paying for each check just to be told to come back.

hethmar

I really think it depends on how good your dentist is. You need toothsmith, who is a dentist, on this but personally Id not be happy with the treatment you have received fen.

jm, if you arent going to be referred to a specialist I think your best choice may be to have it extracted - it probably wont show that far back anyway. If it does you can have a tiny false one.

Good luck.

jmjspurs1

Its my 3rd from the back, further back i prob wouldnt think about it twice and have extraction but i keep smiling in the mirror to see if it would show much. Wouldnt a small false one cost alot tho? and how would they do that (if you know)
Thanks