Root canal (free on NHS) vs private implants to end gum infection?

SimonFF

Hi. I am unemployed and I can have free NHS treatments.

I need to correct a bite problem, because the bad bite is cracking a few teeth, which is obviously done by a private orthodontist.

I finally booked an assessment with a private orthodontist and, aside from quoting £7.000 for Invisalign (they do have 0% interest financing), he also told me he cannot operate on my mouth because of chronic gum abscess, which my NHS dentist is managing.

The orthodontist suggested that I have the roots taken out and have implants done and then, once the abscess is drained, proceed with the braces.

However, my NHS dentist could do root canals for free. This could potentially also drain the abscess. I suggested that to the orthodontist and he said that it might work but taking the roots out is better.

The orthodontist doesn't do implants so he has no financial interest in suggesting that.

I'd rather correct the bite first and then, in a few years, do the implants, but his suggestion has scrambled my plans. Implants could cost me another £10,000, then another £ 7,000. At that price, I could put a deposit for a mortgage.

Of course, I could go shopping around but this left me so depressed.

Any ideas on how to proceed?

Brie

Horrid situation to be in with chronic teeth problems. That said where will you be getting the £7k from to pay the orthodontist if you are unemployed?? Even if this is financed at 0% over, say, 5 years that's an extra £116 a month you'd need to find. Is that possible? Have you talked to your NHS dentist about this?

SimonFF

@Brie for the £7k, I'll obviously shop around. There are other practices that charge less but have bad ratings. And what can the NHS dentist do about the 7k? He can't do braces, that's orthodontic work. The only orthodontics that I am allowed on the NHS is partial dentures and night guards.

Like I mentioned in another thread, there's a private company that "poses" as "The dental hospital" but are not the Dental Hospital that can do braces for only £1K. It's done by trainees under supervision. The reviews are not very good. The real Dental Hospital (NHS) did not accept my referral from my dentist.

Toothsmith

The advice from dentists and orthodontists who have seen you and can see exactly what is going on in your mouth is way more valuable that casual suggestions on a forum from people who can't.