NHS Molar Root Canal

izzybella16

Hi,

My friend needs a root canal on an upper molar tooth and the NHS dentist is saying they can not do it, they don't want to lose it because the tooth next to it is already missing. Are they likely to get this treatment on the NHS somewhere else or will they have to pay privately?

Toothsmith

Why not get your employers at the Hungarian dental clinic t do it?

izzybella16

The cost of flights and accommodation do not make minor treatment cost effective.

izzybella16

Plus their root canal prices are not a great deal cheaper than UK anyway

Guest101

Root Canal is available on the NHS, however the dentist might not think it will work.

izzybella16

Depends which tooth...front teeth with one canal they will do no problem. Back teeth with 3 or 4 different story

brook2jack

If it has been asssessed as being a difficult root treatment eg

Complexity grade 1 – low
Single/multiple root canals with curvature <15° to the root axis that are considered negotiable from radiographic or clinical evidence through their entire length. No root canal obstruction or damaged access
Incision and drainage.
Complexity grade 2 – moderate
Single/multiple root canals with curvature >15° but <40° to the root axis that are considered negotiable from radiographic or clinical evidence through their entire length
Teeth with incomplete root development.
Complexity grade 3 – high
Single/multiple root canals with curvature >40°
Single/multiple root canals that are NOT considered negotiable from radiographic or clinical evidence through their entire length
Surgical treatment
Teeth with iatrogenic damage or pathological resorption
Teeth with difficult root morphology.
A variety of modifying factors are included that have an impact on the complexity grade.


then the root treatment must be referred to a specialist. Medico legally it is indefensible for a gdp to "have a go" themselves.

A specialist will have a post graduate qualification and equipment such as an operating microscope and materials such as mdta which are very expensive.Consequently I know of virtually no NHS funded endodontic specialists as the NHS does not see spending hundreds of pounds to save one tooth as a priority. Therefore the vast majority of people who need complex root treatment will either need to fund it privately or have the tooth out.

izzybella16

brook2jack are you a dentist?

brook2jack

There is no way of checking any ones qualifications on the internet, I say I am a dentist but I can equally be a studious 14 year old from Arkansas.

izzybella16

Was just asking I wasn't going to take it to the bank

izzybella16

NHS dental contracts are shocking. We would be better off with no NHS dentistry because it gives a false sense of security. Mercury fillings, refusal to do root canals on molar teeth. Molar root canals is the point to get them on....if people complained and started lawsuits for terrible root canals we would see change.