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

Teerah

leni wrote:

Private Root Canal - would take measurements from x-rays and the chance of hitting the nerve would be significantly less - cost £300 - £350

If your dentist is implying that he wouldnt be measuring the lengths with xrays or apex locator on the NHS, then he is talking bull, he has to do this to do the treatment correctly.
Also, have never heard of permanent numbness as being a risk of root canal treatment, it is more likely to happen with the extraction.

LondonDiva

After your treatment is completed, if you still have any concerns, would reccomend you email the private/NHS options he gave you to the PCT's PALS team and ask that they pass it to the dental advisor for information - would come in very useful during contract negotiations / governance type reviews

Lorian

Everone is giving good advice in my opinion.

I am not a dental expert, but I have had more than my share of root work.

For me, no dam, no apex measurement and no x-ray before filling are all RED FLAGS.

lottee

Good advice above, can't really add anything to it, but thought I'd share this with you...

I am petrified of the dentist, so maybe this is why he didn't tell me, but I wasn't aware of these risks. OMG, I am even more scared now. Thanks!

Lorian

There are plenty more things in life to be scared of than the dentist.

Perhaps its because I've spent a lot of time in the dentist chair over my life but I just find it tyresome, not at all scary. Maybe just a little with the wisdom extraction.

When I sit in the dentist chair I just relax, breathe deeply and drift of somewhere. Often I find my conciousness in my toes. I don't really know what I mean by that, but it's obviously some kind of mind displacement trick that works for me.

As for numbness, well I'd take that over pain. Thankfully I have neither.

Toothsmith

lottee wrote:

Good advice above, can't really add anything to it, but thought I'd share this with you...

I am petrified of the dentist, so maybe this is why he didn't tell me, but I wasn't aware of these risks. OMG, I am even more scared now. Thanks!

If you mean numbness after a root filling - It isn't a risk!

If you mean the ceiling of the surgery falling in, or the dentist fainting and head-butting you, well, you might just be lucky!:p

lottee

Permanent numbness to my lip, cheek, gum & teeth is a risk to me!
Making the phone call for an appointment is a risk to me!

I know it's silly, but I just can't help it. I have to be severe pain before I'll even make that call! It's one thing I really wish I could get over, even the smell of a dentist surgery makes me want to cry. The more I try to relax, the more tense I begin to feel. I've never really had a major bad experience, so it's not something I can pin point, just can't bear the thought of that chair.

bank_of_slate

It's a very common fear Lottee!

Sometimes having an extraction may seem like the easiest option (over and done with) but this is often not the case!
The opposing teeth can overerupt (grow down) into the new space and teeth may drift causing other problems.
If it were me, I would have the root filling done (as long as I had full confidence in the dentist!
...Linda xx (Dental Nurse)

leni

thanks for the advice and replies.
I rang the PCT (Primary Care Trust) today who were a little alarmed at what I'd be told (more the offering to do it privately thus taking more care than if I just paid NHS fee) They've passed it onto the clinical team who will get back to me in the next few days to discuss it further and offer advice.

Meanwhile my tooth ache is getting worse, though I'm coping. Obviously since taking to the PCT I won't be going back to that dentist as any job whether NHS or private isn't going to be done well because of the PCT's involvement. I'm going to ask that if they contact the dentist, that they try and find me an alternate dentist to visit to have the work done. Also, my mother-in-law is trying to get me into her dentist as she knows him quite well and she can talk/moan the hind legs off a donkey.:rotfl: but she's lovely

happygal_3

Thanks Toothsmith! I have just finished antibiotics and am feeling better although tooth is still tender.