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Original poster

root canal -- what should I ask?

54 replies

Uwila · 08/08/2006 11:16

I'm having a root canal tomorrow. I've never had one. I'm having it on the NHS so I'm concerned that I won't be offered things that I won't think to ask for. For examply, material of crown. Has anyone had a root canal? Did you have a crown? What kind? And what does the NHS typically offer?

Any experience/advice welcome!

OP posts:
Quootiepie · 08/08/2006 11:22

I had a root canal and had no idea what it really was. I wasnt asked anything. They just cleared hole, burned and snipped nerves and filled the hole. Whats a crown?

SenoraPostrophe · 08/08/2006 11:24

are you having a root canal or a crown? I've never heard of them doing both at the same time, but maybe they do.

afaik the only option is between black and white fillings: white look nicer but are more expensive and don't last as long. black last longer and contain miniscule amounts of mercury (or they did). It used to be that you had to pay extra for white fillings on the nhs, but not all denstists charged for it. it's probably still the same.

SenoraPostrophe · 08/08/2006 11:25

incidentally since I've had 3 fillings break in the last few months, I will never ask for white fillings again. mercury or no mercury.

Original poster
Uwila · 08/08/2006 11:36

Tomorrow is just the root canal -- you are correct. But, I want to take the opportunity to enquire about the crown and it's material. I think she will have to remove anough of a the tooth athat a crown will be required/desired.

Really? They still put mercury in fillings? Reminds me of the use of termosil... Deffo don't want mercury.

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 08/08/2006 12:08

oh right. don't have any crowns yet, but there are options to do with the material, some more expensive than others. I'm pretty sure you'd have to pay extra for the more expensive versions so there's no reason why they wouldn't tell you about them!

hope the filling goes well. if it's a good dentist they're not as bad as they sound.

SenoraPostrophe · 08/08/2006 12:09

but also you might not need a crown - I have filled teeth where the filling goes halfway down the side. she just used a ribbon thing to make a mould and filled with white filling.

melissasmummy · 08/08/2006 12:12

If you are having the root canal on the NHS then you won't get a choice of the material for the crown/filling. You will get whatever is available thru the NHS as dentists can no longer mix NHS & private treatment. Depending on which tooth it is, you will get a metal based crown covered with porcelain, which the dentist will do their best to match to the teeth either side. It used to be that back teeth had just a silver coloured crown, not sure if that still applies.

SenoraPostrophe · 08/08/2006 12:14

but some dentists used to give white fillings on the nhs anyway, mine did. like I say, don't know about crowns.

cosmicdancer · 08/08/2006 12:16

I've had a root canal with a porcelain crown. I had it done privately though. My sister had one done at the same time as me on the NHS for half the price with a gold crown.

Having the root canal done wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Had DD then aged 4 sitting on my lap - the dentist could hardly get near my mouth for her LOL.

However, mine hasn't been that successful because the tooth's roots were too curled to fill properly. It's lasted me about 3 years but I really need to get it looked at again because it doesn't feel like it should.

melissasmummy · 08/08/2006 12:23

They can now only do white fillings on teeth at the front of the mouth. They stop at about the third or fourth tooth in.

SenoraPostrophe · 08/08/2006 12:33

so do metal fillings still have mercury?

cosmicdancer · 08/08/2006 13:55

I'm not sure whether mercury fillings are still being used.

I had all mine removed and replaced with white.

Had them for a few years now and no problems with them.

suejonez · 08/08/2006 14:00

Hi Uwila - guess what - I need root canal work too (though am having it done privately).

I don't think the NHS uses amalgam fillings any more (any dentists around) and I htink the main difference if cosmetic ie they have a much smaller range of colours than if you pay privately. The basic treatment shoul dbe the same and the results will be more dependent on how competent your dentist is than private vs NHS.

Original poster
Uwila · 08/08/2006 14:48

"though I'm having it done privately" Bitch

OP posts:
ks · 08/08/2006 14:56

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fairyjay · 08/08/2006 14:59

ks
I was told it was pretty common for a 'bit of tool to break off!' - unfortunately the dentist who found the problem told me, rather than the one whose tool broke off!!!!

ks · 08/08/2006 15:07

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fairyjay · 08/08/2006 15:21

Bit too late when it's several years later, and he's retired . Fortunately the current guy is a root canal specialist, and wonderful!

ks · 08/08/2006 15:29

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Original poster
Uwila · 08/08/2006 15:29

Eh? A bit of the tool was left in your mouth? That's outrageous.

OP posts:
ks · 08/08/2006 15:30

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Original poster
Uwila · 08/08/2006 15:32

I have to have it done at a standard dentist. She wanted to refer me privately. Said a specialist would do a better job. But, then I found out it would cost some £500-£700, which I can't afford.

I'm so nervous now. But, I can't just let my tooth keep rotting. And I can't afford private. So I haven't really got any other options.

OP posts:
ks · 08/08/2006 15:35

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fairyjay · 08/08/2006 15:37

My original dental surgery (NHS) referred me to the root canal man (private).

Uwila - I have probably about 6 of the damned things, and the first two or three were done by the NHS chap, and I only had a problem with the one.

I have to say as well, that the procedure was not as awful as I thought - and I start shaking at the mention of the dentist.

Good luck

southeastastra · 08/08/2006 16:10

i had a root canal a couple of weeks ago through an existing nhs crown. it was fine.

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