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

orzabal

I finally managed to see a consultant at the dental hospital today regarding a failed root treatment from many years ago. He indicated that the tooth had two roots which required re treated prior to a seal being placed at the top of the tooth to prevent re infection, which confused me. The drawback is I will have to wait around 5 months for the treatment with the specialist. He believe it or not suggested it may be worth going private to save some time!!! Can anyone give me any suggestions of the cost of this treatment so that I can decide whether or not to wait. The tooth gives me no pain although it is tender from time to time.

Toothsmith

At a guess, I would say about 100 quid for the initial consultation with a spcialist endodontist, and about 600 for the treatment. Depends on which tooth and how difficult it was.

Smickan

Just been searching for this topic to check how you went on

I've literally just walked in about 15 minutes ago from finally having mine out. Dentist was very nice and so was his dental nurse [who even held my hand when it started hurting a bit too much], had 2 goes at the anesthetic thing they put in my gum and it finally came out.

Already so relieved that it's almost over [and will be when it closes up].

Hope you're alright!

mary43

Just come back from the dentist myself..........I've capped teeth at the front and the back of one of them chipped off before Christmas. Emergency dental appointment and it was filled but I was advised that the cap/crown really could do with being removed and another tooth added to my dentures. This is what I thought would happen today but, different dentist and he said another filling would be fine. No injection or anything, popped the filling in and I was out in 15 minutes and £44 later ! I did ask him how long my cap/crown will last (didn't want it falling out -grandsons coming on Wednesday for his first birthday and don't want him seeing his Granny looking like a witch ! He's already got more teeth than me !)
Dentist couldn't commit himself so its a wait and see job..........but I'd opt for a filling every time rather than extraction.

Incidently I had a tooth shatter some years ago and fully expected it would have to come out but the dentist at the time (different area) built it up and it lasted a good 35 years...........not bad going I thought.

Good luck whatever you decide. Don't know what it is about dentists but my stomach always churns at appointment time

HC_2

Smickan wrote: »

Just been searching for this topic to check how you went on

I've literally just walked in about 15 minutes ago from finally having mine out. Dentist was very nice and so was his dental nurse [who even held my hand when it started hurting a bit too much], had 2 goes at the anesthetic thing they put in my gum and it finally came out.

Already so relieved that it's almost over [and will be when it closes up].

Hope you're alright!

Well done, glad it went well!

I've not had mine done yet

I've opted against the extraction - and am going to have the root canal done under sedation. However, they can't guarantee a result as the tooth is so badly cracked. They may have to extract it anyway. If the root canal goes OK, I will have to have a crown.

I just haven't got the guts yet to ring and make the appointment...

Smickan

It's better than wha tyou're living with now, trust me.

HC_2

Smickan wrote: »

It's better than wha tyou're living with now, trust me.

It doesn't hurt at the moment though.

Pain will the impetus that forces me to go. I'm just trying to pluck up the courage to make the appointment before that happens.

Gosia

I specially joined so that I could post a reply to your thread.

I just wanted to say that I really do sympethise what you are going through. After 3 nightmarish dentist visits in my past where it felt like someone was drilling a hole in my skull, where I was ready to jump out of the dentist chair whilst the dentist in turn was holding me down, where even 5 injections had failed to numb the pain I had developed a real phobia.

Anyhow to cut a long story short, last year after months of infections and antibiotics and stress and sleepless nights I finally decided that I really did need to go through with that root canal treatment. I wasn't prepared to have the tooth out as I am only in my 20s and let's face it at this rate I could end up toothless by the time I reach my 50s.

I researched all the different options and found that the best way (and the only way) that I could have it done was on Sedation. Anyhow it did cost an arm and a leg (I paid nearly 650 privately) but it was worth every penny.

The sedation works brilliantly. All I can say to describe it is that when I was going under the sedation the clock read 11am and then what felt like 5 mins later I was looking at the clock again and it read 12.45 and my whole ordeal was nearly over, I was conscious throughout so could respond to instructions, I didn't feel any pain and best of all I didn't remember any of it!

HC_2

Gosia wrote: »

I specially joined so that I could post a reply to your thread.

I just wanted to say that I really do sympethise what you are going through. After 3 nightmarish dentist visits in my past where it felt like someone was drilling a hole in my skull, where I was ready to jump out of the dentist chair whilst the dentist in turn was holding me down, where even 5 injections had failed to numb the pain I had developed a real phobia.

Anyhow to cut a long story short, last year after months of infections and antibiotics and stress and sleepless nights I finally decided that I really did need to go through with that root canal treatment. I wasn't prepared to have the tooth out as I am only in my 20s and let's face it at this rate I could end up toothless by the time I reach my 50s.

I researched all the different options and found that the best way (and the only way) that I could have it done was on Sedation. Anyhow it did cost an arm and a leg (I paid nearly 650 privately) but it was worth every penny.

The sedation works brilliantly. All I can say to describe it is that when I was going under the sedation the clock read 11am and then what felt like 5 mins later I was looking at the clock again and it read 12.45 and my whole ordeal was nearly over, I was conscious throughout so could respond to instructions, I didn't feel any pain and best of all I didn't remember any of it!

Thank you, Gosia. I really appreciate your post.

I know I should do it. I'll ring them tomorrow and make the appointment.

belfastgirl23

I really sympathise too. I had a rotten experience with a dentist as a child and it left me terrified as an adult. Pain drove me there too after not having gone for years and I'm just finished the process of having all my big old fillings replaced. All I can say is that modern dentistry is a massive improvement on what it was when I was younger. It only hurt badly once and then only for a few seconds. Surprisingly it hurts very little afterwards beyond a mild muscle ache from keeping my mouth open. That said, the dentist said I might have to have my wisdom teeth out sometime soonish and I can tell you I will be sedated for that!!

Re the actual procedure this thread might help
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=932601&highlight=sedation

It sounds like the sedation is a very pleasant experience - maybe this might help you get through it.