
1 posts
MoneySaving Newbie
Hi everyone,
I've recently come into a problem with my Upper Right back molar. A filling is too deep causing pain on the nerves when eating and my Dentist says a solution is to perform a root canal. He has offered it to me privately. Unfortunately, due to covid and work it's not something I can afford and would rather go through the NHS channels as I understand they perform root canals in the dentistry band 2 (I think).
After asking my dentist if I could do so he said that would be impossible as he needs 'special tools'. I then asked if they could refer me to another practise and they said they couldnt help me. While I believe he is an excellent Dentist and a root canal on a back molar is tricky and does require special tools - I can't shake the feeling that I'm being hustled into going private. I feel this way because the practise offered very little advice and help with going through the NHS, my dentist pretty much forces invisalign and teeth whitening treatments down my throat every time I sit in the chair. Tells me I need 1 hour hygienist appointments when the hygienist says I only need 30 minutes etc.
Is there a history of the NHS regulary performing root canals on back molars. If so should I seek a second opinion from another practise? Also a friend has recommended I contact citizens advice bureau about this issue. But I wanted to post here first as I've always received sound advice from MSE.
Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
I've recently come into a problem with my Upper Right back molar. A filling is too deep causing pain on the nerves when eating and my Dentist says a solution is to perform a root canal. He has offered it to me privately. Unfortunately, due to covid and work it's not something I can afford and would rather go through the NHS channels as I understand they perform root canals in the dentistry band 2 (I think).
After asking my dentist if I could do so he said that would be impossible as he needs 'special tools'. I then asked if they could refer me to another practise and they said they couldnt help me. While I believe he is an excellent Dentist and a root canal on a back molar is tricky and does require special tools - I can't shake the feeling that I'm being hustled into going private. I feel this way because the practise offered very little advice and help with going through the NHS, my dentist pretty much forces invisalign and teeth whitening treatments down my throat every time I sit in the chair. Tells me I need 1 hour hygienist appointments when the hygienist says I only need 30 minutes etc.
Is there a history of the NHS regulary performing root canals on back molars. If so should I seek a second opinion from another practise? Also a friend has recommended I contact citizens advice bureau about this issue. But I wanted to post here first as I've always received sound advice from MSE.
Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
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Replies
However if they feel that the root treatment is complex ,and many molar root treatments are , they can refer onto someone else privately. However root treatment on back teeth can be very complex and can need a specialist to do it who has post graduate qualifications and instruments such as an operating microscope ( cost £18,000) and materials such as mdta cement (cost at least £50 per patient) .
What your chap cannot do (and I don't think he has to be fair) is suddenly be able to do it if you pay him privately. If he tries that you can land him in a whole load of trouble!
The problem is that any NHS dentist loses money on doing a straightforward RC (and some other treatments) due to the way the payment structure works. He doesn't get what you pay, that goes to the government then the dentists are paid on a complex formula. So, that always raises the suspicion that his true reason for turning it down is financial rather than clinical. The problem is unless another dentist gives an expert opinion you will never know.
https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/files/rcs/fds/publications/complexityassessment.pdf
This is under endodontics.
Really anything that is in tier 2 and tier 3 is deemed beyond the complexities of a normal GDP, and a referral for advanced mandatory care should be made. There is scope to do molar RCT on a PVT basis as an alternative to the NHS route.