Endodontist treatment on NHS

Eebz

I went to see my dentist last week as I was suffering from tooth pain and it turns out I have an infection in a tooth for which I previously received root canal treatment (many years ago). I was advised to see a specialist endodontist at the practice, which I did (£53 private appointment). The specialist has advised removal of the original filling and a second root canal treatment costing £620 plus £30-ish to cover PPE (and then possible crown at additional expense) and stated that I couldn't have the treatment on the NHS because it was a second treatment, and therefore more complicated. Does anyone know whether this is correct? Am I faced with either removal of the tooth or a £650 bill? I don't doubt that it's a complex procedure but I would rather have NHS treatment if entitled. Thanks ever so much for any insight anyone can offer (Googling and phoning NHS England didn't help me much).

brook2jack2

Re treatment of previously root filled teeth is deemed a complex root treatment. The success rate is lower than a root treatment first time around. That means it needs to be done by a specialist endodontist who has the training, tools and equipment. 

In general specialist endodontists are not available in the U.K on the NHS. , so if you need complex root treatment it will be private or the tooth will need to come out. 

Toothsmith

I think there is an error in editing of Brooks above post. 

I think she meant specialist endodontists are not available on the NHS - not "in the UK" 

Specialist endodontists are quite plentiful in the UK, it's just the NHS fee scale & contract can't support what they do!

brook2jack2

You're right ts 

Undervalued

Not much help but you could have the root work done privately then go back to your NHS dentist for the crown, if that is cheaper than a private crown.

Eebz

Thank you Brook, Toothsmith and Undervalued - much appreciated. I'll stop complaining and get it done, then. Good idea about the crown Undervalued!