Starting to worry about my teeth...

Toothsmith

maytaurus wrote: »

The most terrifying thing for me on my last visit to the dentist, was that they told me I need some root work doing
That my own dentist can't do it and to go private will be £50 to £75 for the consultation and £500 to £700 for the treatment !
So it might be 10 years before I can go for treatment ! :eek:

Although it's undeniable that you will get a far superior job done by a private specialist endodontist, it's worth asking WHY your dentist can't do this treatment.

Before the NHS 'new contract' of April 06, when dentists got a fee for each item of treatment they carried out, the vast majority of dentists did their own root fillings (Although the statistics show they did them pretty badly!).

Since the new contract, when all dentists get are 'funding points' for a treatment plan (And it's the same number of points for a plan with one little filling, or a plan with a shedful of fillings and root fillings) they are a lot more reluctant to do the more complex stuff.

Their contract values though (The money they are paid), are based on how much they earnt when they were doing all the complex stuff. So - by refusing to do the stuff they used to do - they are, in effect, cheating the taxpayer.

Now - there are perfectly legitamate reasons to refer someone to a specialist endodontist. If a tooth (Particularly a molar is 'especially difficult' with, say very curved roots) or if a tooth has previously been root filled, and that root filling has failed. A dentist could also say it was 'ouside the sphere of his/her competence - and there are many specialist endodontists who would say that was ALL root fillings for some GP dentists:D

But- if it's just a simple front tooth, or premolar, then the dentist would be on very sticky ground if his figures from before the new contract showed that he was regularly doing these things.

It would be worth asking the dentist why he thought it needed the special attentions of a specialist. If you're not happy with the answer, it might be worth having a word with the local PCT's dental person. There have been cases of PCTs asking dentists to PAY for the referal to the specialist (and the treatment) when it was found they were referring things they used to treat.

On the other hand, you could pay the money and sleep sound knowing that you've had the best possible job done on that tooth, and that it will be much less likely to fail and give you a toothache and/or a fat face at some terrible inconvienient time in the future.

Savvy_Sue

The other question to ask is "Does it matter if I lose this tooth?"

DH's NHS dentist wanted to a root filling for him and I said no, not to have it done there, I'd had too many problems with that chap. He went to see a local private dentist who quoted for root filling, and then said "as it doesn't show, would you rather just have it removed?"

I've got a gap too where I had an abcess which that dentist allowed to fester for over a year, but it doesn't show so I'm not too fussed.

maytaurus

Thanks for that Toothsmith & Savvy_Sue
If I had the £ I wouldn't hesitate to pay for the treatment
The tooth is 3rd from the back, has been root filled before and is attached to a bridge ,so when I asked about having the tooth out, it was explained that it would cost just as much
I have always looked after my teeth ,
this is the only problem I have,
but this amount of £ is just more than I can pay :sad:

Toothsmith

Hmmmm.

If it's already root filled, and the support of a bridge, then I would say referring you to a specialist was perfectly justified. It's an important tooth, and you will loose more than just that one tooth if it goes.

The 'false' bits of the bridge will have to be taken off the bridge as well, as they won't have enough support.

sandy2_2

Could the dentist give you somesort of payment plan

maytaurus

If they can ... they haven't mentioned it to me
I suppose it might be worth asking
they can only say no :rotfl:

scotlass99

OMG!! Got my appointment at the dentist tomorrow!!:eek: I am already really nervous about it and have played out a hundred scenarios in my head!! Please send me happy dentist appointment vibes for tomorrow! I'm not so much frightened of the treatment (although that is scary) but more worried about if it will be a good dentist/if he will be understanding of my fear/if he will give me a lecture etc etc etc...oh my goodness i've got butterflies just thinking about it:eek::eek:..okay deep breaths....

Feel so stupid about getting worked up about this but I have such a fear....

I shall keep you posted on how it went...

maytaurus

THINKING OF YOU ... I'M SURE ALL WILL BE OK
Just make sure they know how you feel and I'm sure they will give you lots of extra TLC

belfastgirl23

Just think of the high you'll have when it's over

Lots of luck, and well done on making the appointment and facing your fears.

Do let us know how you go

LilySue

Sending you good dentist vibes!I was scared of going to the dentist for the first time ever at my last check-up ( which was last week, hence why I have read this thread) For me, it was because my sister who like me has pretty perfect teeth got a horrible shock at her last dentists visit, seven fillings needed...now I had missed my last six month check up so was sure, just sure that I too was going to have problems.And....everything was just fine. Funny enough, I know I have a nice dentist, I researched him carefully when we joined as our youngest son has autism and we knew we would need a good dentist. He did pick up on how nervous I was as I am normally pretty calm, and took things more slowly explaining more what he was doing while he checked my teeth. The thing that helped me most was as I was lying there, I could here the poor mans tummy rumbling ( it was getting near lunch time) and I thought to myself, poor chap, he's human too ! For some reason or another that helped me.