Please - need suggestion for root canal specialist

Ellen123

Hi,

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

An out-of-hours emergency dentist told me six days ago that I must have root canal treatment within two weeks.

She said she suggested I have the tooth removed, or get root canal treatment.

I'm in Didcot, in Oxfordshire. The dental offices I've called are closed due to coronavirus.

Would anyone know of a root canal specialist in Oxfordshire?

I've had one root canal, perhaps eight or ten years ago. A local dentist told me that local dentists lack a special magnescope that sees how many roots a tooth has. She suggested I see a specialist, who has the special magnescope. She said she could do the root canal treatment, but the tooth could have multiple roots, and without the magnescope, she couldn't tell if she treated all of them.

She sent me to a London specialist, who had high-tech equipment. He did the treatment, referred me to an Oxford dentist. The Oxford dentist said I'd need a crown, and since I was still in pain, he liked to wait till the pain resolved. I asked how long could I wait. He said a year. One year later, I went back to the London specialist for his check, and he said the tooth was contaminated, requiring the root canal all over again.

I went to the U.S., saw a specialist, had it done. Everyone there told me it's common knowledge that you need a crown within two weeks after a root canal.

I didn't know that. And the London specialist didn't tell me!

So I am loathe to go back to him again. I chose not to sue for malpractice, nor to report him to authorities, but his lack of advice to me cost an additional £1000+, plus the pain and anxiety.

Would you know any root canal specialist, preferably in Didcot, or in Oxfordshire, or then, anywhere?

I was given antibiotics, which have one day to go. The pain was terrible, and I was told it's a bad infection. The antibiotics cause serious nauseousness, but just one day more to go.

I'm frightened that I won't find anyone to do this within two weeks, with only eight days left.

I qualify for an NHS dentist, would hope for one, not sure how to pay for a private one.

I'd be so grateful for any suggestions.

Thank you.

brook2jack2

No dentist in the UK will do a root treatment for you at the moment. 

In England and Scotland dentists are not allowed to do any treatment at all , there are clinics set up to do emergency measures which require the use of drills , but this is in extremis. 

In Wales dentists can see you , if in extreme pain etc, but will only be able to take the tooth out. No drilling allowed.

In short , until the present crisis has receded , you cannot get any root treatment at all, in pain the best you will be offered is antibiotics,  or in extreme pain , having the tooth out. 

You will have to wait until things are more normal to get this tooth sorted properly. It's not ideal but dental treatment is very high risk for you , for the dental team and for all that you both will be in contact with.