Is the dentist ripping me off???

[jellybean85]

I had a filling in May, I had mild toothache Sunday night and then briefly yesterday it was quite painful, mild again today.

Went for a conveniently timed check up this afternoon and mentioned the tooth ache.

Dentist said no visible infection on x ray or in mouth, no other signs or concerns but based on the (less than 48 hour old) toothache I needed root canal with a quote of £1300!

NHS round here is a two year wait.

I suggested I wait a few days before booking and he put the scare tactics on about a 4 week wait and being in unbearable agony over Christmas which seemed a bit unlikely seeing as I don't even need pain killers atm it's just a little sensitive.

Am I being had? Any dentists who can advise?

Sounds possible you need a root canal but that price is ludicrous. I'd be getting in touch with other private dentists for a second opinion.

Do you have sensitive teeth normally? My dentist recommended Colgate pro sensitive for a similar issue I have had . It has helped

I have had need of root canal before for me it was sharp agonising pain for no reason managed to deal with it for a couple of months before I literally sat up all night rocking ... only thing relieving it was water held over the tooth.

Do you have a dental insurance via work? To help with some of the cost?

Get a second opinion. When I needed similar treatment doing I rang round all the dentists in my local area to check the price; they were all within £50 either way of what I had been quoted so I knew it was reasonable.

Root canals on private shouldn’t cost anywhere near that much; you should be looking in a region of £350 - £500 max.

Hmm. Root canal on a molar plus a crown (which is what should’ve done after a root canal on a molar) privately: that’s about right, maybe on the low side.

It's not so much the price, which I imagine I could get a little cheaper by shopping around more the absolute insistence it was necessary despite saying he could see no visible decay/infection/signs and I've had a mild toothache for a day and a bit!

I'm going to use corsodyl and sensitive toothpaste for a few days and book in for a second opinion I think.

£1300 is extortionate for the root filling alone; as mentioned, it's plausible for filling and crown. For molars and premolars a crown is normally strongly recommended.

If the need for a crown wasn't already mentioned that's concerning, the dentist could easily spring the additional cost on you. And feeling pressured or getting a "hard sell" is a red flag to me.

Thanks all will definitely go for the second opinion

Definitely second opinion. And once you are dentally fit, get a plan in place.
Ive just paid £109 to fix my tooth after a chunk of an old filling broke off. Now paying £24 a month which covers everything apart from things like crowns (anything being sent to a clinic to be made). Huge piece of mind.

My dentist charges between £200 to £450 and he's brilliant. Shop around.

At that price you're better off going off to India and getting it done at a fraction of the price and have yourself a nice 1week holiday whilst you're at it with the remaining cash.

Is the whole area you live in such a long nhs waiting time? Could you register with a dentist in the next county or something? Or a relatives dentist you could go to somewhere within travelling distance? My friend moved and traveled 45 miles each way to her old dentist where she used to be as she trusts her. It’s doable.

I think it's common for teeth to be sensitive after a filling, especially if the filling was large/deep. I'd give it a couple of days to settle. If it's worsening I'd definitely shop around. £1300+ is ridiculous!

I wouldn't advise going to India for dental treatment of this nature; moreover, if you do, make sure you budget for all the subsequent maintenance trips. Your UK dentist will not be maintaining work you've gone abroad for.
Your opinions are:
1 wait & see; possibility of experiencing severe pain /swelling.
2.
Try and find an NHS dentist ( if possible).

1. Have it done with your current or another private dentist , if they agree that it needs doing. Clarify if this price includes a crown.