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

jugglebug

craigyboy87 wrote: »

Yes, I called today they have given me a 15 minute emergency appointment at 12.00pm. I doubt they will do anything except give me antibiotics with such a limited time slot. I have been in pain for a week now and 5 more weeks of this is totally unacceptable. I have left work twice because the pain was too much and have no more sick days.

If I was to go the the NHS emergency dentist would they give me root canal treatment sooner?

Sooner? Highly unlikely (for that read no chance to be honest)
I am aware of at least 1 "emergency dental service" run by a primary care trust that is only equipped with mirrors, probes and a prescription pad!
Provision across the country is variable but 5 weeks is actually pretty good for NHS services.

blueybug

Just had a root canel done on a very poorly tooth, now that did'nt hurt but boy! I am in pain!!!!! now (4 hrs after)

Any tips on controling the pain?

I take it the pain will settle down?

craigyboy87

I went to the dentist today and told them I was still in pain. They took an x ray and the infection was still there. The dentist drilled a hole on my tooth to scrape out the infection and let the pus drain. She has left me on an 'open tap' meaning the hole is still open in my tooth because there was a lot of pus and she wanted to give it more time to drain before she closed it thus preventing a new infection. The tooth has been filled with antiseptic as well. I have an appointment tomorrow so she can fill up the hole on a temporary basis until I get the root canal treatment.

I feel a lot better now no pain at all just some tenderness. I am hoping this will hold out until I get the root canal treatment and no infection will reappear until then. Do you think this will be effective until the root canal treatment toothsmith?

I have to admit I like the dentist I am using and I think she is doing her best given the limited time she has for me. Although I am always unsure with dentists given my past experiences of getting bad treatment. I am not scared of going the dentist but I understand why people are.

Surreygirl_3

Hello, I'm sorry to be replying to a thread, I've searched and searched but can't work out how to start a new one.
Am hoping Toothsmith can give me some advice please when you get a chance.
Following an accident when I was 9 years old (dog knocked me over breaking both my upper front teeth) I have had them capped initially and then as I got older, had veneers on my dentists recommendation.
To cut a very long story short, I had my veneers replaced 22 months ago as the previous ones had had there day at almost 8 years old.
The week before last one broke in half. I could feel with my tongue that there was a line going down one and when I got home and ran my nail over it, it just parted.
I hadn't banged it and after having veneers for at least the last 20 years know what I can/can't eat and how they should be looked after.
I am so upset to think I paid all that money and one broke so soon. My question is, do you think as they've only been done for 22 months the dentist should offer to meet me half way with cost?
Do you think I'm being unreasonable in thinking this? Could it be possible that there may have been a problem when it was made at the technicians? I have never had one break so soon and today I have received an appointment plan with a price of £500 to replace this veneer.
When the veneer bit fell off I had to make an emergency appt at the dectist at our local hospital as it happened on a Friday evening and I was in lots of discomfort. They glued the bit back on as a temporary measure.
On the Monday I called my detist and he said to pop along. When he gave a little prod it came off along with the other half. He took some impressions to send off to get another veneer made. He then prepared the tooth and put a temporary on. No mention of cost at all at this stage, which I know is my fault as should have discussed this with him from the start.
Then as I say, I get a letter today headed 'Appointment Plan' and the cost showing £500.
I know veneers are classed as cosmetic, but I feel a little hard done by as I have 2 very broken teeth. I feel I should be allowed this treatment on NHS. NHS say they only crown, and then I can only have one done at a time... so when one breaks they'll crown it - so I'll be left with 2 odd front teeth...one crown and one veneer.
I don't know what to do..... any help/advice would be very much appreciated.
Best wishes, Jo

Toothsmith

Usually, if something like a veneer fails due to a problem with the veneer, or a problem with how it was stuck on, then it fails pretty quickly. Within days or weeks.

If it's lasted nearly 2 years, then I doubt it was because there was something 'wrong'.

As you say though, you would usually expect a veneer to last longer than 22 months.

Did the dentist know it had only lasted this long?

It is the dentist's error that fees were not discussed beforehand, not yours. It is all part of getting 'informed consent'. This puts you in a bit better negotiating position, as he has treated you before getting informed consent.

I would say a realistic compromise here would be for you to pay a reduced rate for this veneer, but get in touch with the practice ASAP, let them know you only had the veneer a shortish time, and that because no cost was mentioned at the appointment, you thought it was a free replacement. See what they say to that, but be prepared to pay something for it if you want to stay a patient at that practice.

Toothsmith

craigyboy87 wrote: »

Do you think this will be effective until the root canal treatment toothsmith?

Impossible for me to really say as I've not seen it. Leaving teeth open isn't really considered the best way to do it anymore, as just as many bugs get into the tooth as get out of it. It makes the chances of successful root canal treatment less.

Given a busy NHS practice though, with appointment book space at a premium, I can see why they have done it.

Toothsmith

They can be sore for a while afterwards, but we shouldn't give specific medications on here. Just use the painkillers you usually would.

Contact your dentist if you're worried.

craigyboy87

I feel no pain now so it seems to have worked for which is a relief after 5 days of constant pain, so I can't complain too much. I only hope the root canal works and what she has done does not cause it to fail.

I knew she was rushing to do it as well because it was only an emergency appointment. When I go back tomorrow I haven't even got my own slot, I am double booked with someone else because she had no space for me but I had to see her.

The government seriously need to sort out the NHS so that dentists can give to care that is needed. I hope I can afford private dentistry in the future.

Surreygirl_3

Thank you so much for your reply. The dentist knew how long it lasted as I had spoken to him on the phone about it before I went for him to examine. I was anxious it would fall off again as hospital dentist said it was only on there as a temporary measure as they didn't have the veneer glue. So my dentist said to pop along and he'd take a look as sometimes these temporary glues can last a very long time. But as I say, as soon as he used that little hook tool it flew straight off.

He moved practices a few months back and now I have a bit of a trek from Surrey into London and not sure I'd go back if he insists on me paying the full amount as I do not feel it's right.

To be honest I really thought he would say he'd meet me half way as I have had them almost 2 years - and how do I prove the veneer breaking wasn't through my negligence. I thought I was in a difficult position, but would have accepted a reduced cost replacement. He charged me £320 per veneer before - I was shocked to get this paperwork through today saying £500 for the one tooth.

I was very shocked at much of my tooth has been taken away. They are tiny little stumps now, almost the size of a baby tooth. No doubt this is because they've been stripped away over the years.

Thanks again, best regards, Jo

Toothsmith

That sounds more like a crown than a veneer to me.