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Original poster

Made a massive mistake and regret it but there's no going back.

114 replies

xmasduo · 26/12/2021 16:22

Just before Christmas I had toothache. Turns out I needed a root canal or extraction of the tooth. I'm at a NHS dentist but he said if I wanted it done before Xmas I should try a private dentist. Cost for root canal was too much and I could barely afford the extraction. With all the talk of lockdowns and being in pain I opted to pay £££ for my tooth to be extracted privately.

Now I'm gutted. I've lost a tooth that should have been saved. I should have waited for my NHS dentist to do treatment but they said it would be months and I was worried about any lockdown.

I can never get that tooth back. I'm so angry with myself.

If lost a tooth and a lot of money!

Just needed to moan to someone really as I am so down.

OP posts:
lotusbell · 26/12/2021 18:42

I feel you. I have two teeth missing now - one top, one bottom. At the side but quite near the front. Only noticeable if I really grin. I have awful teeth and the onset of gum disease,I think I take after my mum. I have on/off issues with a tooth at the back and am putting off going to get it seen to. Although I've had blocked ears for a week.now and starting to panic its because of this tooth.
I've always hated the dentist and it goes way back to childhood. I'm.doing my best, and trying to remind myself it's not completely my fault.
My top missing tooth was extracted after a failed root canal and I said I'd not put myself through it again. So when I cracked the bottom one at the beginning of last lockdown, I knew I'd eventually have to deal with it. Was taken out August this year. Was still awful as it took days of healing afterwards and the panic of potential dry socket. I think I'll end up with some sort of plate, my mum had awful teeth and had a plate as long as I could remember.
Like another poster said, major design fault with these. I'm also bitter about how some people I know (my age, 41) only have one or two fillings and no issues. It's been a lifelong battle for me and I worry about my son and his teeth now.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 26/12/2021 18:43

@LetHimHaveIt

Root canal surgery is painful, protracted. and frequently just kicks the metaphorical can down the road. Having the buggers whipped out is much the better option. No fucking around. I've never understood why people cling to teeth that need to be shown the door.
Root canal shouldn't be painful. I don't know why people insist on scaring people like this. If the dentist if skilled and you have enough painkiller you shouldn't feel a thing.
TheSilveryTinsellyPussycat · 26/12/2021 18:46

Teeth are kind of related to identity, IMHO. It may sound strange, but each time I lost a tooth (am ancient now) it felt like I was mildly grieving afterwards.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dental health
TeenyQueen · 26/12/2021 18:47

I hope this will help you- NHS root canal treatment has a pretty low success rate. An RCT requires a lot of skill, some specialist equipment and a lot of time. A lot of NHS dentists don't do RCTs for this reason, or they'll try to do it very quickly and don't spend enough time to do it properly. For example a private dentist would normally spend at least an hour, an NHS dentist might allocate 30-45 min. The NHS doesn't pay the dentist properly for the treatment so if the dentist does do it, he/she us basically making a loss.

Juletide · 26/12/2021 18:47

3 root canals here, all ended in extractions, one only 2 weeks later.

LaurenKelsey · 26/12/2021 18:48

I have an implant replacing a tooth. I’m in the US and it was quite expensive here. I’m glad I got it, because it kept other teeth from shifting around.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 26/12/2021 18:52

£200 for pain relief sounds like a bargin. Hope you're feeling better @xmasduo

lotusbell · 26/12/2021 18:52

Also, can I just say, dramatic as it is, some of the comments here are really helpful. I don't particularly like my dentist but am in no hurry to leave as I've been at the same practice since my teens and NHS dentist places are hard to come by.
My dentist has always made comments about me being too young to lose my teeth and the importance of saving a tooth if possible, but after that root canal, the infection and the pain, I knew I couldn't go through that again so didn't hesitate with my decision when he told me the latest cracked tooth needed either root canal or extraction.
Ideally, I would like to keep my teeth but in those situations, I'd rather just not be in pain. Its quite refreshing to read so many people who support that idea. Giving me a bit more confidence that my life won't end if I lose a few teeth.

Nocutenamesleft · 26/12/2021 18:53

If it makes you feel better. I spent £5000 trying to save w root canal tooth. Before it had to be extracted anyway.

Root canals are so volatile. You probably did the right thing.

Midlander88 · 26/12/2021 18:54

You may have saved yourself some money and pain in the long run. If your dentist said you wouldn't get in before Christmas, imagine if you had a tooth abscess during the holidays. The pain is unimaginable and getting it drained is really gross.

Based on my previous experiences, I would've definitely made the same decision as you!

Caulidop · 26/12/2021 18:55

A couple of years back I had a discussion about the possibility of root canal with an NHS dentist. They basically told me that I should pay to go private where there would be better access to more advanced equipment, as failure rates for root canal on NHS were well over 50% (and I got the impression she was being positive!)

OrangeShark27 · 26/12/2021 18:56

Root canals, especially NHS root canals fail. Some papers will quote only 60% success rate for NHS root canals. They also have a lifetime, and even if successful would likely need to come out at some point in the future. Once a tooth has reached the point of root canal its started the journey to extraction.

It wouldn't have been fair to exaggerate your pain to get seen, I doubt the dentist was withholding appointments from you and you would have therefore taken time from someone who actually was in severe pain. Plus there's not going to be time to do a full root canal in a squeezed in emergency appointment.

It's just one tooth, you can think about a bridge or an implant if you like in the future if you like.

Dentists haven't actually been closed since June 2020, and would not close if there was another lockdown

NynaeveSedai · 26/12/2021 18:58

I had a root canal and a few years later got the worst pain of my life (and I've given birth) while on holiday so had to wait over a week to get the bastard tooth taken out. I really wished I'd had it removed at the time.

Caulidop · 26/12/2021 18:58

My point being, don't worry thinking you've made the wrong choice as root canal on NHS may have resulted in a lot more work over the next few months and then extraction in the end. I know you can't know, but please try to focus on that you're not in pain any longer Flowers

Mangozesty · 26/12/2021 19:00

[quote KirstenBlest]@Alonelonelylonersbadidea, I've had root canal work. The root was cleaned out, filled and a post inserted and a crown attached. No dead tooth was spiked into my mouth.[/quote]
Me too, exactly what happened. I still have my tooth after the root canal. I paid an awful lot of money for the root canal as I didn't want a big gap if I could avoid it, mine was a molar.
Also a poster mentioned, 'it's only a tooth, you have plenty more' well no, actually I only have 24 teeth as I need some out when was a child and needed a brace, so I'd like to keep them if possible.

justustwoandmoo · 26/12/2021 19:01

I'd always choose an extraction over a root canal. I had an absolute nightmare having one and then it failed. You did the right thing

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 26/12/2021 19:04

Totally sympathise - last week finally went to dentist after being in denial about jaw pain. Not obvious where the pain was coming from, so he did an x ray which showed that back molar was infected, hence a week of antibiotics.

I was given the option of a root canal, but decided an extraction was the best option, and afterwards, the dentist said there was no chance of saving it.

The sadness though is totally understandable - there are only a limited amount of teeth we have, although there is so much technology now and am contemplating an implant...

ShippingNews · 26/12/2021 19:05

@xmasduo

It's a premolar tooth. Only visible if I smile really wide.
Don't worry about it. I've never had a root canal or anything else like that - if I get problems I have the thing taken out. Dentists have given dire warnings that " they'll move because of the gap" and it's never happened . My gaps are like what you mention - premolar so the gap only shows if I smile widely. Honestly it will never affect you or look unsightly. It's not worth worrying about it.
RobotValkyrie · 26/12/2021 19:06

Haven't read the whole thread, so this might have been mentioned already: a root canal does not really "save" you tooth.
The tooth gets killed (if it isn't dead already) and "mummified" on the spot. The outside is somewhat preserved, but all the inside gets removed and replaced. And the result may not be very stable at all.

So, don't feel sad/sorry for your tooth, it would have died either way.

Bunce1 · 26/12/2021 19:08

I had root canal this year. The pain of the tooth ache and absess was something else. I fainted with the pain.

The RCT was very traumatic and I found the whole process horrendous. 2 appointments, 2 hours today. Horrid. The tooth is filled and it’s fine but it doesn’t feel right. It will last me maybe 10 years and when it fails again I’m not messing about why further treatment. Just a full extraction.

I think you got to where I’ll be sooner with less pain and less cost.

My RCT cost £700.

Bunce1 · 26/12/2021 19:09

The treatment wasn’t today! Weird typo.

lobsterkiller · 26/12/2021 19:10

Hey, Ive had two root canals. They usually break, mine did. They now have crowns on them, they also come with their own issues. Im lucky, Ive had one of them 22 years but I will eventually lose those teeth.

You can always find a cosmetic way around this. Try not to put yourself through the wringer.

NeverEndingFireworks · 26/12/2021 19:14

we are in extraordinary times. You made the best decision you could, at the time, in the situation.

forget the "what ifs"

my dentist is ONLY doing emergencies ATM - I can't even get a routine check up.

you will get used to the gap in a couple of weeks and forget there was ever a tooth there.

FeloniusGru · 26/12/2021 19:19

Not the same but a couple of years ago I dropped something on my face and smashed one of my front top teeth into pieces. I’ve always been proud of my teeth, never needed braces, no fillings, etc. I had it sorted by my NHS dentist but it didn’t feel right, it was shorter than the original tooth. I ended up going private but it’s still not like my original tooth, it feels different and in photos I can tell it’s not the same. I’m still gutted about it today Sad and it will probably fall off again and I’ll have to have it replaced throughout my life and keep costing me. So I totally understand how you feel!

sansucre · 26/12/2021 19:20

I'm quite shocked by many of the comments on this thread and it makes me question how good some of the dentists actually are. If a root canal is carried out properly, the root filled and then crowned, it should last. I know I have had two root canals, both crowned, and none have failed. One is over 30 years old.

To those who have had problems/failed root canals, either the nerve wasn't properly removed and/or the decay wasn't properly removed before sealing. Or else the tooth wasn't sealed properly. Either way, am sorry for those who have had failed treatment and lost the tooth anyway. It's such a huge psychological strain.

Anyway, with regard to having a gap, about 15 years ago, I fell and knocked a tooth out. The bone in my jaw wasn't dense enough for an implant so I got a bridge. This worked because the gap was between two teeth, and so the bridge could be properly supported. A bridge will only work with certain teeth/certain positions. If the OP's gap is at the back, she might want to consider a partial denture too.