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Original poster

Dental help please

9 replies

magpumpkin · 23/02/2012 17:31

Got an emergency appointment with my NHS dentist on monday as I had severe toothache over the weekend. I am aware that my teeth are bad from pregnancy and too many sweets when younger :-( He told me I had a bad infection and prescribed me a course of anti biotics. Told me that I need a root canal and then a crown. He needs to refer me too a specialist and it will cost me about 1k :-( .
I am skint i can't afford that kind of money. I know that as a NHS dentsit he doesn't have to do the work and he can refer me but is there any other way that i could have the work done without being charged that much? Can I shop around with other dentists tosee if they are cheaper? do you always need a crown after root canal? Told me I could just have it removed but as the teeth on either side are suspect that if i had it removed I may lose all 3 teeth. Can I have your opinions please.....

OP posts:
NatashaBee · 23/02/2012 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gingeroots · 23/02/2012 18:18

No no no - £ 1000 for root canal and crown .
Too much .
And why does he need to refer you to someone else ?
Of course you can shop around ,ask other dentists .
and if you are anywhere near a large town see if there's a dental hospital who could treat you .

Original poster
magpumpkin · 24/02/2012 14:47

Thanks for your replies, I have spoken to the receptionist at my dentist and asked why he needs to refer me to a specilist , she tells me if you have already had 1 root canal on the tooth then that's why,,,,, but I haven't had 1 on this tooth. I know I have bad teeth and I think he doesn't want to touch it just in case it has a knock on effect to my other teeth :-( I will tell him I cannot afford the 1k and will have to look around to see if anyone else can do it cheaper. I have an appointment with him on Monday to discuss treatment. this is day 5 of my antibiotics but my mouth is still very painful. Hopefully it will be ok over the weekend.

OP posts:
Grumpystiltskin · 24/02/2012 15:26

It could be because it is particularly complex. I can't understand why you asked the receptionist & not the dentist?

Remember you could always have the tooth removed.

MrsMagnolia · 24/02/2012 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Grumpystiltskin · 24/02/2012 17:01

Yes any dentist can do a straightforward root canal treatment, when it is particularly complex then, a: they may not have the necessary experience, training or equipment (i.e an operating microsope, Nickel Titanium files etc) and, b: complex endodontic treatment is not covered under a general dentist's NHS contract unless they have a contract for specialist services.

Why do people automatically say "complain" when there are so many facts missing from this situation?

It's like saying "my GP has a bachelor's degree in surgery, why can't he perform my surgery?" well my GP is happy to lop off a mole or a toenail but he probably won't be opening my chest to carry out a heart transplant...

I'll say it again, you could always have the tooth removed, £47 and done.

Original poster
magpumpkin · 24/02/2012 17:44

I believe my nhs denetist will not do the work as he states my roots are really complicated. To remove the tooth may have a knock on effect on both teeth either side which are at best not good. 1 is a wisdom tooth the other a previuosly botched root canal with no crown. Can I request a hospital appointment to do the root canal? or even if I went private for the root canal can I not then return to my dentist to have the crown fitted? (might be a bit cheaper) I can't afford private treatment full stop. Looks like I may have to have it removed and keep my fingers crssed the other 2 survive.

OP posts:
Grumpystiltskin · 24/02/2012 18:03

Depending on where you are it may be possible for a hospital to do it but in six years, I have never manages to get one done at our local hospital.

If the roots are difficult then the dentist is right to refer you. If you can't get it done in hospital I would raise merry hell with the PCT for not commissioning specialist care. Their usual responseis along the lines of "we'd rather pay for cancer drugs than people keeping their teeth" which I suppose is a fair comment.

lovechoc · 24/02/2012 18:16

I was in agony with toothache last week - what a nightmare! Phoned for an emergency appt and got one within two hours that same evening. I have been told by my regular dentist whom I saw just a few days ago that I may need a filling, possibly even root canal treatment. She is giving me a week to see how the dressing goes, and how I manage to eat now that the pain has strangely subsided.

I must say if I was in your situation I'd be getting the tooth out. £1k does seem a ridiculous amount of money!

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