No NHS for Failed Root Canal Molar

Lizbetty

Hi everyone
I have been having some issues with my teeth and to cut a long story short, it appears to be an old root canal in a molar close to the front which has become infected.

The NHS dentist has said either it can be taken out on the NHS or I would have to go private for it fixing if I wanted to keep it which would cost approximately £700ish. It's something to do with it being too complicated for anyone in the practice to do and it's not available on the NHS because it's an old fixing - the xray showed a screw type thing before the root.

I was in shock tbh, I thought it was just a gum infection. I didn't know what to ask!

Does this sound about right? I know that root canal repairs and crowns don't always last forever, the dentist said it's just unfortunate that infection has managed to get in somehow. It's right next to another root canal/crown I had a few months ago too! The private place recommended is miles away but can probably see me next week, she said, at a cost obviously.

I'm just surprised that the dentist said it would have to come out or I need to go private when it's infected? She said that strictly speaking they're not supposed to give out antibiotics but she did thankfully and said that might buy me some time to save up (maybe not the 326 years I'd actually need mind you.)

It is basically just tough, has anyone else had this problem before please?

Thanks for any advice you can offer, I feel so down about it

Regards
Lucy

Edit: My dentists are generally great btw, I've been with the same place for 32 years and I do trust them. I just don't understand any of it!

brook2jack

From the sound of it the tooth has a post in it that needs removing before the re root treatment can be done. If it is a screw in post that can be difficult to remove.

That and the fact that it is a molar root treatment that needs redoing means that it is a specialist job.

In general specialist root treatment is not available on the NHS and would have to be done privately . £400 to £800 , depending on complexity is about standard. Also you will have to budget for a new crown afterwards.

Bear in mind the success rates for re root treatment are less than initial root treatment , and removing an old post will also decrease the success rate.

Even if the treatment is a success a root filled , crowned tooth has a limited life span.

ToxicWomble

326 years to save up £700 ??

Lizbetty

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply brook2jack.

Ugh that doesn't sound very hopeful! :eek:

I'm a bit worried about how having the tooth removed might affect my other teeth, if it will knock them out of kilter. I've just had to go private for my eldest daughter a brace (£3k's worth) and this is why I'm so skint, she was a hair's breadth out of the NHS guidelines too. We're not having much luck of late!

I was beginning to come to terms with £700 tops but the dentist didn't mention the cost of a new crown. I'm guessing that wouldn't be available on the NHS either and so would be quite expensive.

brook2jack

There's no reason , once treatment is finished why you cannot have the crown on the NHS

Lizbetty

Thanks again brook2jack, your advice is really helpful.

It does seem quite a small molar and so I'm thinking maybe just getting rid, but I'll have a chat with the dentist she's referring me to first. No doubt they'll give me an idea of how complex it could be/likelihood of success. The xray is already done so that saves a few quid!

Hopefully the antibiotics will buy me some time! The dentist said it *might* be ok for a year if they work, and if I'm lucky but no guarantees at all.

It's quite scary how this can escalate isn't it, I have some mental health stuff and have always had a problem with grinding my teeth. I guess this is the fallout

Thanks again for your advice I really do appreciate it.

Toothsmith

A couple of other points to consider

We don't need every tooth in our head. If the vast majority of the others are healthy - then losing one won't make much difference at all. Sometimes trying to hang on to every single one nomatter what can cause problems of its own.

Secondly - paying £700 plus NHS fee for a crown later is going to add up to about half the price of an implant. £2000 spent on an implant if you find you do miss the tooth is going to have a much better lifespan that the money you might be throwing down the toilet on this tooth.

Obviously, though, the best person to advise you on the suitability and life span of the range of options you have is your own dentist who can see you, and knows your history.

Lizbetty

These are such good points, thanks Toothsmith! I really appreciate your reply

This morning there is some swelling on the other side on a tooth closer to the front and I have a really bad feeling this is another abscess That will probably have a bearing over the decision! It's above a tooth that hasn't been filled so I'm hoping if it is an abscess that would just be straightforward root canal. Due back next week so we'll see.

I don't know, it's like it's all happening at once! I think you're right about an implant, I guess it a private root canal fails then it's money down the pan isn't it? My Mum says I won't miss the one at the back ), she just gets brazil nuts stuck in hers but I would prefer to keep as many as I can. The dentist once said dentures would be impossible as my lower jaw has so much excess bone from grinding them which terrified me for a start.

It's good to have options, I'm so glad I asked. Thanks for calming me down a bit!

Lucy

Gettingtherequickly

I have literally just had the same treatment done, going to see my own dentist next week to see how it healing.

I must say the surgeon I saw was very good and kept me informed of all that was happening, including showing the xray which shows that the abscess is still there. However, in my case, I had already lost the adjoining tooth, so was left with no option but to have this treatment. Removal would have meant no support for the top teeth. The alternative would have been implants, but not only would that have cost £1,000's, the length of time for treatment would have been about a year, purely to allow the required healing between each process, so it was a no brainer for me.

I'm still trying to work out how a dentist at a previous practice managed to leave 1/4 of a live root in my tooth!

Best of luck

Lizbetty

Gettingtherequickly I'm glad yours went well :T It's really worrying isn't it, I wish I'd known about this when I was younger and asked about gumshields and cared for them a bit more

Was there anything you could do about the dentist leaving a live root in, or is it just one od those things? It's a shame when it could have been avoided

Thanks so much for the words of support! I guess it must be quite a common problem! Everything crossed that yours are sorted now and thanks again for the reply

Gettingtherequickly

Lucyeff wrote: »

Was there anything you could do about the dentist leaving a live root in, or is it just one od those things? It's a shame when it could have been avoided

Going to ask my dentist that when I see her! I am very lucky with my dentist at the moment. I used to be a patient of the senior in the practice, but he obviously felt that my exams/treatment could be carried out by newly qualified dentists. When I had the abscess, needed an emergency appointment for antibiotics and it happened to be the senior. I had forgotten how lovely he is, turns out he only practices 2 days a week, teaches 3 days & is part of the NHS England dental team. And my dentist is one of his protegees, who also is now teaching, so think I have fallen on my feet here! Amazing what you learn waiting for the xray to come through:D