Dental nightmare

[AlaskaThunderfuckHiiiiiiiii]

I had just had my first review since lockdowns and dentists catching up. I have 3 teeth, 1 at the back and 2 at the front that have all had previous root canal treatment many years ago. The one at the back the dentist only treated 2 of the roots and their are 3 In the tooth, the 2 at the front have caps on from ab accident when I was younger caps have never cracked or broken in the time ive had them.

my dentist says they do not do re root canal and I would need to be referred to a specialist at £800 per tooth, the back one I told them just to pull it as you wont see it but the other 2 are the front of my mouth and I don’t know what to do, my options are denture on a plate, bridge (only if teeth either side are strong enough) or implants at £2,500 each.

I am quite upset as I am only 30 and don’t want to have horrible teeth, I take great care in my appearance and look after my teeth but it seems all 3 are failed root canals. Not one of them is giving me any pain or causing any issues but I am aware it is chronic infection they could flare up. Personally I’d rather hold on to my own teeth as long as possible.

it’s not easy to get a second opinion as there are now next to no dental practices taking on new nhs patients so I am a bit stuck now

has anyone else had this happen?

I sympathise. I had a failed root canal on my front tooth. Actually it was 3 failed attempts. They had to remove the tooth (because it became discoloured and painful, it was going grey!) and I now have a bridge. I was distraught when it first happened at 32 years old. Now it is rarely pops into my thoughts.
During lockdown it did actually fall out but had lasted around 11 years. I was so thankful for masks as I had to wait to have it refitted. I’m not happy with the way it’s gone back in but, seemingly, that’s because your teeth move all the time and the time between it falling out and me getting it refitted has meant quite a bit of movement.
I was told £2,500 for an implant but that is the most basic option. I’m going to save or consider a loan because I really can’t cope with it falling out again! I wish I had kept the tooth I had on the plate that they gave me between removal and the gum healing for the bridge but, after 2 house moves, I just got rid.

honestly the bridge really has been fine until now but it really is a huge thing, psychologically, to deal with when you have a front tooth needing to be removed so young.

Thank you for replying, I know I’m being silly about it but it just shocked me so much. Between the plate and the bridge the plate is much cheaper but the bridge would look nicer? I’m also really worried I will hate the plate and not get used to wearing it meaning I’ll have gaps in my teeth. I was also told having a plate makes all the other teeth In that row loose you need more dentures. Honestly don’t know what to do, my friends have said they would be holding on to their own teeth until it started to hurt or bother them

I’ve been googling implants. Lots of ‘From £x’ so could easily end up more than they are advertising. I wasn’t told that about the plate but I was told it would have to be plate first to allow healing and then bridge. I don’t recall there being a huge difference in how my smile looked between the two but, psychologically, not having to take the plate out at night when I finally had the bridge was a huge improvement.

my DGM was always so proud of having all her own teeth. Made me feel more crap about losing one tbh.

Why are they suggesting they need removing? If you get an infection they could prescribe antibiotics and you could see how things went? DH waited 8 months for a splintered tooth to be removed over lockdown, terrified of infection the whole time, it never actually troubled him at all. I think I would probably wait until it was giving me problems tbh. I’m now living in fear of this falling out again sometime!

They haven’t even mentioned antibiotics at all, just went straight to either paying silly money for another root canal or having them pulled. I actually thought after I’d left why didn’t they give me antibiotics to clear it and then see how it went 🤷‍♀️

What is the justification for re-treating/removing these 3 teeth if they are a symptomatic? Was this a new NHS dentist to you as it seems a very drastic prognosis? Personally I would get a private second opinion. I think many dentists would leave well alone with your front teeth and with the back one you could also wait for actual symptoms before doing anything and/or go for a specialist rct re-treat.

@noway1000 it’s the same dentist I’ve been going to since I was a child, she basically said it could be ok for months or years but could flare up at any time or when I’m run down. I’m of the same mind as you to just leave my front teeth well alone until such a time as I have no other choice or when it starts hurting. The one at the back with the same issue is definitely going but you won’t see that, front of my mouth is a different kettle of fish

@noway1000 im only having the back one pulled as they need to do some work on the one next to it.

Could you get a second opinion and/or a payment plan?

I’d also be hesitant towards doing anything while they’re pain free but would start saving if possible for any needed future treatment

I absolutely would leave them be until they start to cause a problem or change colour.

Really difficult to get a second opinion round here, live rurally and no one taking on nhs patients, I really can’t afford private.

ok so that has really helped me to see sense in keeping my own teeth as long as possible, the caps haven’t changed colour or anything and so far no pain at all from any of them.

I will start putting money away though that is a good idea and will look at payment plan depending on what I decide to do when the time comes