NHS Molar Root Canal

izzybella16

I had a molar root canal on the NHS 6 months ago, the dentist spent 10 minutes cleaning the roots and then stuffed the roots with gutta percha and forced as hard as he could...through the anaesthetic I felt the root filling protrude into my jawbone. Constant irritation ever since. Considering legal action.

brook2jack

UK dentists are more likely to be sued than dentists anywhere else in the world including the US.

It is because of the very high levels of litigation that general dentists are advised not to tackle difficult root canals but to refer them to a specialist as it is indefensible to have a go if they are assesed as difficult. Many molar endos come into this category.

In order to do well they require microscopes ,equipment and skills supplied by specialists.

There are many teeth that are savable now that wouldn't have been in the past but to save them requires expensive techniques that are not funded by the nhs.

izzybella16

This isn't difficult, I have seen x-ray, fairly straight roots.

brook2jack

If you read my previous posting the curvature of the roots is but one factor in complexity. There are many others ranging from the shape and patency of the canals , access to the root canal, has there been drainage, has a root treatment been attempted before etc etc.

izzybella16

I was booked in for a 45 minute appointment and he took 15....he just couldn't be bothered.

izzybella16

NHS only pays 3 UDAs for root canal...about £75. They don't make money on molar root canals.

ManofLeisure_2

izzybella16 wrote: »

This isn't difficult, I have seen x-ray, fairly straight roots.

Unless you are a 'highly skilled' dentist, how would you actually know?

brook2jack

The nhs does not pay £75 or three udas for root treatment. It pays that for an entire course of band two treatment in England and Wales. In other words all the fillings, root fillings, x rays, hygiene visits check up etc that are clinically necessary.

So a dentist doing nhs work makes no money on any root canal not just molar or any course of treatment with multiple fillings or any treatment requiring periodontal treatment etc

However the majority of dentists doing nhs treatments continue to do these treatments knowing they are loosing money.

izzybella16

If it was difficult I'm sure he would have said or suggested I see endodontist. Seems to be a very common problem with the NHS and molar root canals, especially maxillary

izzybella16

I think they do them on a single root tooth because they are simple and front teeth. Back teeth with multiple roots very lucky if you have an NHS dentist who will do these