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

Olympika

Aw thanks hethmar and Froglet!

Well I had it out last Tues but it was a bit of a struggle ... there's a bit of fracture in the jaw and it's exposed my sinus cavity which is the weirdest feeling, I feel like I can blow bubbles out of my nose through it... Hole goes bit over into my palate so eating is tricky, especially because of the sucking / pain from the sinus thingy. I have to really concentrate to eat / drink :rotfl:bloody thing bled like anything on the evening I had it done and eventually had to phone the on call dentist for advice - ended up going in (was at over 2 hours bleeding with no sign of stopping) but avoided stitches :T he just packed it with the oil of cloves stuff and apart from another lengthy bleed the following morning it's been ok since. Pretty sore but I don't think it's anything untoward.

Question for knowledgable dental folk on here... how long is the sinus hole likely to be open? The dentist said something about referring to hospital but that it usually heals up ok on its own. It seemed to heal after about 24 hours, but when I woke up yesterday it was 'sucking' again and obviously has reopened.

Olympika

hethmar wrote: »

oggy - didnt we tell you

Glad it went well Oggy :beer:

tirednewdad

Olympika wrote: »

Aw thanks hethmar and Froglet!

Well I had it out last Tues but it was a bit of a struggle ... there's a bit of fracture in the jaw and it's exposed my sinus cavity which is the weirdest feeling, I feel like I can blow bubbles out of my nose through it... Hole goes bit over into my palate so eating is tricky, especially because of the sucking / pain from the sinus thingy. I have to really concentrate to eat / drink :rotfl:bloody thing bled like anything on the evening I had it done and eventually had to phone the on call dentist for advice - ended up going in (was at over 2 hours bleeding with no sign of stopping) but avoided stitches :T he just packed it with the oil of cloves stuff and apart from another lengthy bleed the following morning it's been ok since. Pretty sore but I don't think it's anything untoward.

Question for knowledgable dental folk on here... how long is the sinus hole likely to be open? The dentist said something about referring to hospital but that it usually heals up ok on its own. It seemed to heal after about 24 hours, but when I woke up yesterday it was 'sucking' again and obviously has reopened.

Can take up to 6 weeks for the gap to completely close, but for most people there will be a barrier in 7-14 days.
Different dentists treat things in different ways. Depending on the size of the "hole" you can have a boney pack placed in and the space can be stitched together.

I am sure that you have been advised, DONOT use a straw and DONOT blow your nose. The dentist would also consider prescribing some antibiotics or nasal decongestants. Again this depends on the severity of the space.

~Chameleon~

After reading this I am SO GLAD I decided not to have my tooth extracted when the dentist suggested it :eek: :eek:

I'd had one out on the bottom jaw a week or two previously and that's only just healed up properly after almost 3 mths!!!!

I have no idea how yet but I'm going to have to try and raise the money needed for a RCT done privately. Touch wood I've had no further problems with it since I last saw the dentist and was prescribed a double course of antibiotics, but no doubt it's only a matter of time before it flares up again

Froglet

Olympika wrote: »

Aw thanks hethmar and Froglet!

Well I had it out last Tues but it was a bit of a struggle ... there's a bit of fracture in the jaw and it's exposed my sinus cavity which is the weirdest feeling, I feel like I can blow bubbles out of my nose through it... Hole goes bit over into my palate so eating is tricky, especially because of the sucking / pain from the sinus thingy. I have to really concentrate to eat / drink :rotfl:bloody thing bled like anything on the evening I had it done and eventually had to phone the on call dentist for advice - ended up going in (was at over 2 hours bleeding with no sign of stopping) but avoided stitches :T he just packed it with the oil of cloves stuff and apart from another lengthy bleed the following morning it's been ok since. Pretty sore but I don't think it's anything untoward.

Question for knowledgable dental folk on here... how long is the sinus hole likely to be open? The dentist said something about referring to hospital but that it usually heals up ok on its own. It seemed to heal after about 24 hours, but when I woke up yesterday it was 'sucking' again and obviously has reopened.

Oh poor old you, i thought i'd had it rough but you really are going through it.I promise you though it will be worth it in the end.At least the tooth itself can't ache any more!!

I hope you feel better soon.Have you had to foregoe the wedding?

Olympika

Froglet - aw thanks. Nope I went to wedding, was hoping for soup as a starter but was bloody terrine so I went a bit hungry! It was a long day but was ok.

Tirednewdad - thanks so much, here's hoping for the barrier soon! I'll get in touch with them if it's not improving... Didn't know about the straw but thankfully haven't been using one :T but he told me about no nose-blowing. Have sneezed several times which was a bit weird but ok - just let the snot fly out, screw politeness :rotfl:I was told to get some decongestants but TBH haven't bothered yet, but of course will get some if needs be.

Olympika

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

After reading this I am SO GLAD I decided not to have my tooth extracted when the dentist suggested it :eek: :eek:

I'd had one out on the bottom jaw a week or two previously and that's only just healed up properly after almost 3 mths!!!!

I have no idea how yet but I'm going to have to try and raise the money needed for a RCT done privately. Touch wood I've had no further problems with it since I last saw the dentist and was prescribed a double course of antibiotics, but no doubt it's only a matter of time before it flares up again

Good luck with raising the money Chameleon - I would definitely give RC a go if you can possibly manage it

~Chameleon~

Olympika wrote: »

Good luck with raising the money Chameleon - I would definitely give RC a go if you can possibly manage it

The only way I can possibly undego RTC is with sedation and apparently the only way I can have sedation is if I go private. The fact I'm currently on benefits means it will take me quite a while, with strict budgeting, to save up the fee (£600+) so I only hope and pray I don't have any further problems with this tooth before I can get it treated.

Toothsmith

Chameleon,

There are some people for whom extractions are perfectly good, indeed, the best treatment option.

Having a root filling is by no means a 100% certainty of success, and trouble-free.

It may well be better for you, your dental health, and your general health to just get it taken out.

You need a good honest chat with a dentist who you're confident has your best interests at heart when he/she evaluates the options.

hethmar

Oh Olympika, what rotten luck. After all that pain. Still, it can only get better now. I know my extraction took weeks last time to heal. It still feels a bit tender there after 18 months. Thinking of you.

Chameleon, honestly you do not need to be knocked out for it, its not that bad, see oggys post. Have it done sooner rather than later and just ask your doctor for a valium or something if you feel that nervous but you will wonder why you worried afterwards.