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

tirednewdad

Toothsmith wrote: »

If a root filling fails, it could be for many reasons, and re-doing it, free or not, would probably not be the way to go.

Generally, before I did anything like a root filling I would discuss with the patient what would happen if it failed, and what I would do, and what I would be expecting in the way of payment. But it would vary depending on the tooth, and how likely I thought failure was.

Often, I would say that if a root filling of mine failed soon after doing it, I would take the tooth out for no extra charge.

But as said, it really would depend on the tooth, the patient and the situation.

completely agree. I always make patients aware that there is a failure rate involved in RCT and it is the one thing that is not included in my garrentee period.

Olympika

Thanks - will talk things through and see what my options are on Thursday when I go back.

Froglet

Well,i finally had my very troublesome and VERY expensive root canal filled tooth,removed yesterday.No wonder it hurt on and off so much,there was a big pocket of infection underneath and there was a crack each side running right down into my gum.

How long will it take for the blood clot that now fills the hole,to go,as i am worried about it breaking away and having to start all over again with it healing.Until then i daren't eat anything hard,am starving on soup and yogurts!!I also feel quite listless,and have a rotten headache this morning.

Teeth!! who'd have em??

Toothsmith

Froglet wrote: »

Well,i finally had my very troublesome and VERY expensive root canal filled tooth,removed yesterday.No wonder it hurt on and off so much,there was a big pocket of infection underneath and there was a crack each side running right down into my gum.

How long will it take for the blood clot that now fills the hole,to go,as i am worried about it breaking away and having to start all over again with it healing.Until then i daren't eat anything hard,am starving on soup and yogurts!!I also feel quite listless,and have a rotten headache this morning.

Teeth!! who'd have em??

Different for everybody, but if you usually heal up OK, and aren't on any blood-thinning medication, then it should be OK after about 24h.

The bit that's in the hole now may well come away, but I wouldn't worry too much about that - It might seep a bit, but it woun't gush with blood!

The thing stopping the bleeding and starting the healing are the tiny platelets and clotting products stuck into the ends of every little blood vessel and capillary - not the great lump of jelly filling the socket.


The headache and feeling rotten is more than likely a hangover from all the adrenaline and stress of yesterday rather than anything else. Maybe a bit low on the blood sugar too!

Froglet

Thanks very much for your reassurance.I did change my dentist and feel a lot happier and more confident with this one.He was gentle yet firm and explained everything minute by minute.I know cost matters but i think after my experiences this year,trust is far more important.

Savvy_Sue

Froglet, you could perhaps try eating some porridge to fill you up without requiring you to chew ...

hethmar

Whatever you do - dont smoke! I did that after a tooth extraction and ended up with a dry socket - agony. I dont smoke now thank goodness and my teeth and gums are so much better. Another reason for packing up - and it paid for my crowns
Hope you feel better soon.

Olympika

Am now on metronidazole and amoxycillin as a last resort, but looks like the RC tooth will have to be extracted. I would need to pay full whack for a second RCT (another £400 ish) and he said he reckoned there wouldn't be a lot of point in going that route, though if I really wanted to try it then he would be happy to give it a go. Am not surprised but pretty gutted that this RC has failed - I was so nervous about it and was so pleased with myself for going through it, but I know there are no guarantees.

^^ agree with hethmar about avoiding dry socket at ALL costs, it's seriously unpleasant.

hethmar

So sorry to hear that Olympika -

Froglet

Olympika wrote: »

Am now on metronidazole and amoxycillin as a last resort, but looks like the RC tooth will have to be extracted. I would need to pay full whack for a second RCT (another £400 ish) and he said he reckoned there wouldn't be a lot of point in going that route, though if I really wanted to try it then he would be happy to give it a go. Am not surprised but pretty gutted that this RC has failed - I was so nervous about it and was so pleased with myself for going through it, but I know there are no guarantees.

^^ agree with hethmar about avoiding dry socket at ALL costs, it's seriously unpleasant.

Have been in exactly the same situation so i know what you are going through.After my rct i had 2 really painful infections that had to be treated with the same antibiotics.I put off as long as i could but had to admit defeat and that is why i went to a different dentist,purely for a second,and probably a more honest opinion.Like you am very hacked off after spending so much money but don't do what i did and put yourself through more agony,in the end it will have the same outcome as i have had.

I am starting to feel better at last,and can eat better.My jaw is still tender and stiff but the socket is healing over.