root canal treatment - NHS and private costs & pros and cons

Toothsmith

Could you break that up into smaller paragraphs please - it hurts to read it!

Toothsmith

Ok - I've waded through it now - and basically it's very complicated.

I don't think anyone has advised you badly.

The dentist who advised the bridge initially did warn you it might not work. He could have advised implants - probably should have done, but would you have taken them then? Probably not. Maybe he should have refused to do it?

Either way, it hasn't worked.

The practice who refused to re-root fill the tooth are justified - re-root filling is often less successful than doing it initially, so I can quite see why they want you to see a specialist.

There is a practice that seems willing to have a go - but if they do, and it fails, will you be getting legal advice on who's 'fault' it is?

The practice who are refusing to do it would look good then.

Basically, you have to decide if you want a dentist who 'has a go' and accept that sometimes things will fail, and if they do you might end up worse off. Or - do you want somewhere that plays it by the book, even when that means referring you to specialists who charge a lot of money. (But do things REALLY well.)

As I've not seen you, I'm in no position to advise on what's best for you. That's for you to decide.

banoffe

I have been reading this thread for a while now since I'm in need of a root canal filling.

I had an appointment with my part nhs/private dentist who has cleaned out the root canals of my tooth. However he told me that he couldn't find the 4th canal and recommended a specialist. As a lowly student there is no way I can actually afford to see an endodontist. The crown offered with the nhs treatment is silver, but I wouldn't mind paying for a private one, if the treatment was likely to be successful. What are the chances of success given that there is a canal left to find? Is it worth ignoring this problem until I can comfortably afford real treatment?

This has been highly distressing.

Toothsmith

Not all molars have 4 canals. It depends on which research papers you read, and the significance of them is also debatable.

I don't know what your dentist can see on the x-rays though, or why he seems sure that a 4th canal is there.

I wouldn't put treatment off, as the more estblished the bugs get, the less are the chances of success.

If you could afford a private crown, the money might be better spent on the specialist root filling. This is the 'foundation' after all.

You wouldn't put an expensive house on a cheap dodgy foundation, but if you got good foundations, you could live in a caravan until you could save up for the house.

So long as it has a good seal, the cheaper NHS crown on the good root filling would be easier to change later on.

banoffe

Hi Toothsmith,
Thanks for your reply, I didn't really think of it from that perspective so that was really helpful. My dentist said the endodontist treatment would cost approximately £500. Are there any hidden costs such as when they refer you, do you have to pay the endodontist for an initial consultation session too?

Toothsmith

banoffe wrote: »

Hi Toothsmith,
Thanks for your reply, I didn't really think of it from that perspective so that was really helpful. My dentist said the endodontist treatment would cost approximately £500. Are there any hidden costs such as when they refer you, do you have to pay the endodontist for an initial consultation session too?

Depends on the endodontist involved.

Best to ask your own dentist that one, or ring up the practice he wants to refer you to.

pianoshazza

Hi
Don't know if anyone has any views/advice on my best course of treatment......I have an amalgam filling (pretty massive) about 20years old on one of my molars. It has broken. Went to my dentist who took an X Ray I also have a root canal in the tooth. I have not had any problems with the tooth since having the original filling done (on the NHS). The X Ray showed that one of the roots (3 in total) had not been completely filled right to the end. OK. This is where my dilema starts!!
Do I have the root canal "re=done" then have a crown fitted , or, do I chance it and just go for the crown?
I look after my teeth and obviously would like to make the best choice (I do pay for private dental care) and go to a private dentist. I am worried that possibly drilling to remove the amalgam filling could cause a problem with the root canal, also if I have it re-done what would the succcess rate be? Eeek! How wonderful it is to be over 50!!
Any opinions/experience would be gratefully received.
Thanks;):j:j

Toothsmith

This is a dilemma indeed.

Unfortunately there is no 'right' answer, just a collection of risks and possibilities.

The very best chance for it would be to go and see a specialist endodontist to have it re-root filled prior to crowning.

Even this though might well stir up a sleeping giant. It would also be the most expensive (apart from having the tooth out and replaced with an implant, which would carry the least chance of a flare up I would say).

Anything else is just playing with the risk/benefit/cost equation.

pianoshazza

Thank you very much for such a prompt reply!I will investigate the cost etc of having it re-done as I have no idea how much it would be, although "mega" springs to mind! Think I will probably take a chance and leave the root canal as it is and hope! Until this happened I just did not realise how complicated and intricate these things can be!
Thanks for your reply Toothsmith:D

Toothsmith

A ball park figure for a specialist endodontist re-doing a root filling is about £600-£700