Dental complaint

majorwally

Ok, it wasn't the tooth with the file in it. The pain and swelling is because I have abcess. Unfortunately it is the gum type so hasn't responded to root canal work.
It now seems I need surgery on it and they quoted me £190.
I have already paid £47.
I can't afford another £190 so I am suffering.

I have been told it can be done on NHS but how do you get a referral when all the dentist is interested in is profit?
I did ask him but he won't refer me.

Not very pleased with the whole business to be honest.
Face swollen and serious toothache.

Any suggestions greatly received.

brook2jack

I can't see your x rays mouth etc so can't comment on exactly what the problem is. If a tooth needs complex periodontal work (surgery for gum problems) it may be possible to be referred for it but many dental hospitals will not take referrals for this type of problem. Even if they do the waiting list will be months and you may very well be advised the best thing for the tooth is to take it out.

If it is a gum problem then surgery is a last ditch attempt to save the tooth and will only work if meticulous hygiene and regular dental visits and hygienist visits are carried out. Even then it may not work but it is not a surgery and forget sort of solution.

Either way if you are in pain and swollen you need to get this sorted and it may well be that that means having the tooth out as referral , even if it is possible, could mean a wait of months or more and no guarantee of treatment other than extraction.

majorwally

The abscess is in the gum above the tooth.
It is very swollen.

Are you saying that extracting the tooth will drain the abscess?

I think they called the surgery an absectomy.

brook2jack

The proceedure you are thinking of is an apicectomy. A cut is made in the gum ,bone cleared away and the roots of the tooth are cleaned out from the gum end.

From the sound of it it a root filled tooth that this would be done on. However whichever tooth it is then taking the tooth out will drain the abcess and cure the problem, but you sound confused as to what the problem is so you need to speak to your own dentist about this to clarify things.

majorwally

£190 sounds a bit steep to me for a cut in the gum and a bit of cleaning.

Still can't believe it can't be done on the NHS without all this rigmarole that i'm going through!

Anyway, thanks for your advice.

hcb42

OP I know it is a lot of money, but there is nothing worse than toothache. If they are offering a solution, I would take it as it has obviously been bothering you for a while. Or do you have a NHS walk in dentist. We have one in Nottingham, they will do what is required to stem pain - which might include removing the tooth. But you might have to wait for hours.

If it is any consolation, I had to have root canal when living abroad - it cost me the thick end of £1K I think..without the crown

brook2jack

majorwally wrote: »

£190 sounds a bit steep to me for a cut in the gum and a bit of cleaning.

Still can't believe it can't be done on the NHS without all this rigmarole that i'm going through!

Anyway, thanks for your advice.

It is a bit more complicated a proceedure taking a fair bit of time (45 mins to an hour or more at surgery costs of £120 an hour minimum)I simplified a bit. MTA the cement used to seal the end of the root is £50 a capsule to give you an idea of costs.

Apicectomy is a specialist service in the nhs which needs referral, if available, and referral means treatment will be months off if at all.Many oral surgery units will no longer offer it as extraction is another way of treating or will refer patient to a private endodontist to try re root treating the tooth (£400 ish).

majorwally

OK thanks guys,

I have decided to have the treatment privately to try save the tooth.

The alternative is to have it removed and dentures which will cost more probably!

Thanks for all your advice, I might be back for more if all doesn't go as planned!

brook2jack

Do be aware that an apicectomy is not guaranteed to save a tooth. It may still need extracting. Also if it is a root filled tooth and not crowned it will need crowning.

Not all teeth that are extracted need replacing , most people can cope with the odd back tooth missing with no problems.

Also if your dental attendance pattern is irregular then is it wise to have crowns etc that need careful looking after? Speak to your dentist about long term prognosis and chances of success.