Should I save my money or save my tooth?

stattman

Dear All,

In a bit of a dilemma. Recently I had private root-canal work at the cost of 350 pounds. Initially I was advised of a 90% success rate.

But once treatment started the dentist could not get into the 3rd canal, eventually he tried again in a second session and admitted defeat advising that he used the smallest filament. He then said the success rate will be more like 70% as the 3rd canal could not be fully cleared.

As the days have passed, the tooth is sensitive to pain and I will go back to him shortly. Im not sure what the options are, but Ive seen that endodontic surgery may be an option...

Only thing is I would prefer to save the tooth, as Im only 37 with an cap and bridge already, but wanting to understand what someone in this field would advise.

Thank you

Regards
Mark

welshdent

Just a few initial questions so I can build a picture. What tooth is it? did the dentist use any magnification such as magnifying loupes or a microscope? Was a rubber dam used to isolate the tooth? Has a referral to a district general or dental hospital been suggested?

stattman

Thanks.

It's a middle Molar (Upper right)

As far as I am aware no microscope was used, I can't say for sure about a loupe.

Again, I'm not sure about a rubber dam, but I did feel a clamp-like device being taken off - when the tooth was filled with a white filling.

At present there has been no referral, and as part of my query, is to look at options and see the best way forward, before I book a new appointment, so that I can be better prepared.

Unfortunately I was looking for a dentist forum but this seems to be the closest I could find.

Thank you for your support!

Regards
Mark

brook2jack

A rubber dam is a sheet of rubber stretched across the mouth to prevent bacteria from saliva contaminating the root canal.

Loupes are "binocular " type attachments to a pair of glasses.

Rubber dam should be used for all root treatments and some magnification is ideal particularly for top teeth.

If your dentist is not an endodontic specialist they may not have all the equipment/expertise to do a difficult root treatment. A specialist may have a better chance but will charge for it ,£600 typically.Your dentist should be able to refer to someone for an opinion.

I would say if you paid £350 for a root treatment and rubberdam wasn't used you may have some grounds for refund of some of the fee.

welshdent

ditto ... but dont tell on me!!

I use them for every single one and I do and I used a microscope... and thats on my NHS ones.


I must say I am always markedly irritated when I see expensive treatments like this done without the use of even a rubber dam.

especially when I am the one doing the repair job after for £39!!!!!

stattman

Thank you both for your advice.

I'd feel cheeky about asking a professional is they have done something - as I know what it's like to be questioned about my own work.

I will book an appointment see what he says and if he jumps the "extract"option, I will go elsewhere. Whether I can stomach an argument. Slightly off-tpoic is there a recognised website which people can get personal testimonials on dentists.

I know there are good ones out there (Leicester), I'm just a bit unlucky at the moment.

Thanks again for the advice.

aliasojo

I've had several root canals done both on the NHS and as a private patient. I've never had a rubber dam used yet, nor even has one been mentioned.

Im in Scotland, I wonder if there are regional differences in methods used?

coldstreamalways

aliasojo wrote: »

I've had several root canals done both on the NHS and as a private patient. I've never had a rubber dam used yet, nor even has one been mentioned.

Im in Scotland, I wonder if there are regional differences in methods used?

Absolutely not, I was taught to ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use rubber dam for root canal, I cannot understand why anyone wouldn't because it's so much easier let alone probably improves the success rate. In fact, I love using it on some patients, especially the talkative ones!!

I don't always use it for the first stage if someone is in pain (extirpating the tooth) in an emergency appointment but for the fiddly procedure that is root canal IMHO it is a must. Wherever you are in the world.

narabanekeater

Stat im in Leicester and my dentist is fab and also is taking on new patients let me know if you need a reccomendation

aliasojo

I've just counted back...I've had 4 root canals ( yes I am embarrassed by that). One was in Inverness on the NHS, one on the NHS further North, one done privately and then re-done privately a year later by a different private dentist. Not once has a rubber dam ever even been mentioned. I wonder why that is.

coldstreamalways

I'm not trying to be patronising but are you sure you would know if they did use one? Sometimes people get terrible amnesia about dental procedures, I even referred one patient who swore blind he hadn't seen a dentist for three years let alone seen me the previous month!!! I'm really shocked you could have four with different people and none of them use it. (four root canals isn't the end of the world btw!)