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Original poster

Extraction on nhs or root canal treatment but nhs won’t do it

79 replies

QuebecBagnet · 27/09/2022 13:51

I have a nhs dentist, an upper molar (just before wisdom tooth) is not in good shape. I had a deep filling but it hasn’t worked.

my dentist has said that root canal is possible but that the nhs won’t fund it. She could refer me (it needs a specialist dentist as it’s near my sinus so nobody at my dental practice can do it) but she says the referral will be declined as it’s not a necessary tooth. That the nhs will only fund an extraction.

she reckons the cost of rct will be about £800. I do think it’s a bit poor that what treatment is offered depends on what you can afford. I always thought you should try to save the tooth if possible as an extraction can cause issues down the line (bone decay? Tooth movement?). I would struggle to find £800 but at a push could do so. Is it worth it?

im also worried about extraction. Again my dentist can’t do it because of which tooth it is. Says it’s close to my sinus and I need an orthodontic specialist so will still need to be referred for extraction but at least it’s not £800. She says it’s worse than a wisdom tooth extraction.

dont know whether to spend my savings on a root canal?

OP posts:

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 27/09/2022 15:58

Anyone?

OP posts:

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2022 16:01

I've just had exactly the same dilemma and I wish I'd just had the bloody thing out. Root canal was horrible and took hours and it's not a guarantee that it will work. Half way through the first hour of my treatment I wished I'd just had it pulled. Save your money. It's not like it's one at the front.

Hoppinggreen · 27/09/2022 16:01

You could spend that on a root canal and then still need an extraction.
Various NHS dentists over 4 or 5 years tried to patch a back lower tooth and then I switched to a Private one and he said he COD a root canal or just whip it out. I said to take it out
It took 10 minutes and cost £250.No pain at the time and just a bit sore for a couple of days

Nap1983 · 27/09/2022 16:02

I had root canal on a tooth after a filing was causing a lot of pain. Cost a lot.. not 800 quid though maybe 450ish. I would not do it again as I still have pain, 3 dentists at practice have tried to fix it with no luck , just told me sometimes this happens. If I were you and tooth is a back of mouth I’d have it pulled out, I still would if mine wasn’t so near front..

earsup · 27/09/2022 16:04

thats pricey....does it include the crown also on top..??...pull it out...find another dentist....and cheaper....i have dental work done abroad often as they are more skilled than here and train for longer etc so can handle things which need the hospital etc here....if root canal fails then you end up with it being pulled out anyway.

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 27/09/2022 16:10

Thanks, will go for the extraction then. Didn’t even think about the rct maybe not even working!

OP posts:

LindseyHoyleSpeaks · 27/09/2022 16:14

I’ve had root canal on the molar next to a wisdom tooth. Going strong 7 years on. I think the NHS scrimp as much as they can. Mine was done privately abroad and extraction wasn’t mentioned. I’m appalled at the attitude NHS dentists have a lot of the time.

HotSauceCommittee · 27/09/2022 16:14

Root canals can and do fail. I'm not happy with mine; it just doesn't feel right and if I had known about the significant failure rate, I would not have had it done.

Battlecat98 · 27/09/2022 16:17

I had this recently, was advised they could try to fill the tooth but if that didn't work I would need to travel miles and spend upwards of £1000 for root canal. I asked what the alternative was and was told an extraction. Luckily the filling is ok so far otherwise I will have an extraction.

That being said, I have just been told my NHS dentist has left so me and my 2 DC need to check back in December to see if they have a new one, they are not hopeful 😫. Or, of course I can go private with them instead. Bit worried as my son needs braces and if private I have been advised it's about £5000, and he really does need them. I am hoping he can stay NHS and me and dd will have to go private or at least she will. Not sure I can afford a family of 4 plus braces privately. It's such a mess.

TollgateDebs · 27/09/2022 16:20

A few years ago, in the good old days of NHS dentistry, I had two lots of root canal on a tooth and it didn't work. The dentist struggled with what was going on, as he really tried hard to save the tooth (he was a really good dentist, having experienced a fair number of those that really should have chosen another career!). In the end, I asked him to take it out, as the issues just kept coming back. When the tooth was removed, we could see why a root canal would never had worked, as one of the roots had a tiny spur root, so the infection always had somewhere to hide. As the tooth was to the back of the mouth and you can't see the gap, even when I smiled, I left it. 20 odd year's later and it has never caused an issue of any sort.

Galarunner · 27/09/2022 16:23

I was in a similar dilemma. I paid for the root canal to save a canine tooth ( it seems really good so far). The dentist offered interest free payments. I had a molar in similar condition which wasn't visible so I went for extraction.

stepfordwifey · 27/09/2022 16:41

I had a similar problem and wanted to save the tooth to ensure I retained a good chewing surface. My NHS dentist said he didn't have the equipment to do the specialist root canal. I was referred to a specialist and I paid nearly £1000 before a crown was fitted. I did consider just having an extraction but didn't want to lose a tooth.
The treatment took about an hour and was completely painless. He said I had a very deep rooted infection, hence the problems I'd suffered. The private dentist was obviously really skilled and had a great deal of experience with these sorts of problems.
It was a lot of money but I now have a decent looking tooth, have retained chewing surface and no further problems.
A gap which then requires an implant will be far more expensive.
My NHS dentist said, it it were hers, she'd try and save it and I was glad I took her advice.

muchprefersummer · 27/09/2022 16:48

I get all my dentistry done free through my job but when I had this same issue the dentist still recommended extraction. We discussed it and it was entirely my decision but root canal is very painful and isn't guaranteed to work in which further treatment would be needed. Extraction means no further issues after it's healed. It was sore having it out and I wouldn't want to have it done again but I've never had any issues since.

Original poster

QuebecBagnet · 27/09/2022 16:51

How do you know if you’ll need an implant or not? I seem to know a few people now who have said they’ve had a back molar extracted with no issues. I certainly wouldn’t want an implant. The gap won’t be visible so from a cosmetic point of view I don’t mind

OP posts:

Whatafielddayfortheheat · 27/09/2022 16:53

I've got a root canal in my second upper molar. It's been a nightmare. I have had it 10 years, after two regular fillings both failed. I can't chew on that side and it's always flaring up - currently on antibiotics for the latest pain/infection. Gonna have it out so it was a waste of money.

Eddieisadick · 27/09/2022 16:54

Just whip it out. I had a back molar removed as didn’t want to spend thousands fixing it with no guarantee and I don’t even notice it

Raindrops2015 · 27/09/2022 16:58

Cosmetically a gap at the back can cause sunken cheek. It can change the shape of your jawbone. You won't know til years after you get it done. I opted for rct because you'd probably see the gap when I laughed and an implant would cost a few thousand. Have had no problems. It's a longer procedure but I felt it was worth it.

PinkButtercups · 27/09/2022 22:06

For that tooth I'd probably just whip it out in all honesty.

I'm a dental nurse and because it's a back tooth I'd rather have it taken out than pay £800 for a RCT which may or may not work.

The thing is in your practice one of them dentist might not actually specialise in RCT. They all have their own specialities in different treatments. I worked with an NHS dentist who did specialise in RCT but even she thought sinus involvement was just too risky.

PinkButtercups · 27/09/2022 22:08

QuebecBagnet · 27/09/2022 16:51

Not everyone is suitable for an implant. You have to have a good oral hygiene and good gums for the implant to be a success.

Teeth can shift once one is pulled/there is a gap but usually with back teeth you're okay.

CoastalWave · 27/09/2022 22:12

Why is everyone saying root canal is so painful?

For me it really wasn't any different to a normal filling. Yes, the injections were deeper and longer and the whole thing took longer. But it really wasn't painful in the slightest.

I might add, my dentist is unbelievably amazing! So maybe that's why i had no problems. She said to always save the tooth if possible as a gap is unsightly or can change the shape of your mouth etc.

coldcaff · 27/09/2022 22:22

OH had the exact same issue last year. His NHS dentist had to refer him to a private clinic- something to do with it being particularly complicated so they didn't have the facilities to carry out the procedure.

Cost nearly £900, he had to use a credit card so we're still paying for it now. Very frustrating!

Eddieisadick · 27/09/2022 22:22

Of course root canal isn’t painful. They numb you first. Like any other dental treatment. It just takes ages

Letsnotargue · 27/09/2022 22:30

I had the same issue - the private root canal was painless and complication-free. I’ve never had any issues with it and even get complimented on it by new dentists!

However, the useless NHS dentist who wouldn’t do the RC did do the crown and ballsed it up so it lasted less than a year and pulled the rest of the visible tooth with it. So I have a perfectly filled root with no tooth on top.

Having said that, if the crown had stayed on I’d be 100% happy with the outcome.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/09/2022 22:45

Eddieisadick · 27/09/2022 22:22

Of course root canal isn’t painful. They numb you first. Like any other dental treatment. It just takes ages

Not painful but so uncomfortable with the dental dam and keeping your mouth open for over an hour at a time. It was the first time I've had any dental work apart from a filling and a crown and I never want any more work after the RC. I'd prefer to have a c section .

LindseyHoyleSpeaks · 27/09/2022 22:50

Agree with PPs. Root canal isn’t painful if done properly! It seems so many people are badly advised and subsequently put off by inferior NHS treatments.

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