I’m a dentist and do half NHS and half private. That is an exceptionally high price even for a difficult RCT by a specialist. In my practice that would be £700 including the composite core if it was all private. Your usual dentist would do a metal crown on the NHS or can do a white one privately - you’d have to ask what they would charge for that
Looking at a few endodontists in the area, they all state fees for molar RCT starting from around £900+ so could be a location thing. Are you based in the North maybe?
Yes I’m in the north east - fees vary between practices and obviously tend to be a bit more down south, but £2400 on a single tooth would be on the higher end regardless!
I was told by one dentist that I needed a tooth extraction. I went to get a second opinion and that dentist was able to save the tooth and put a crown there. I went with that option because I was scared of the extraction.
@OP I’m a dentist who does specialist root canals. That cost is on the expensive side, if the tooth is in anyway of questionable restorability I would consider getting an implant for a similar cost.
If you do want to go down the root canal route, shop around for specialists. A root canal completed by a specialist has about 93% success rate at 10 years post treatment providing it is also restored properly (a crown is essential) so with those stats in mind it’s up to you.
And nhs dentists don’t have to offer molar root canal sadly-don’t listen to any one who says they do, they haven’t read the ridiculously long contract which stipulates what nhs dentists have to offer
I had 2 root canals on the same tooth and then an apisectomy which was an absolute disaster. I didn’t have to pay as far as I remember but this was around 2006/7. I ended up having the tooth out. My sister also had 2 botched root canals (different dentist). Based on my experience I’d just have the tooth out.
Wow. We're supposed to work as a team. I'm going by everything that I've been taught at uni and as a dental nurse, what our lectures from the NHS have taught us and what NHS dentists I've worked with over the last 8 years have told me they need to do. I hope you know what's in my scope and it's not just a "lol peasant therapist only does hygiene and knows nothing" attitude.
If the options, as OP suggests here are: an extraction on the NHS or go see a specialist for an RCT for almost £2k, that's not fair on the patient because if they're financially limited they only have the option of an extraction, they haven't been offered to see another dentist on the NHS or privately, or an NHS specialist, just straight to as private specialist. If it was an implant, sure, those aren't routinely offered on the NHS but RCTs are.
Obviously we don't know the condition of the tooth, but more options should have been given to the patient in terms of the RCT, not just immediately to a private endodontist potentially without a cost estimate beforehand.
Obviously there's crazy expensive dentists in London, but competition means prices aren't crazy. My consultation at a private dentist is £35, scans were £40 for basic or £80 for their high tech scan
no , I'm embarrassed about having missing teeth and it was short term thinking to save on finances for some thing that would sit with me for life, irreversibly.
Get a cheap flight to Europe, find a decent dentist,get work done, save £2k and have a long weekend away. Dentists take the piss in this country. I go private and my teeth are fucked from far too much ecstacy in the 80s and 90s,my dentist keeps patching them up and doesn't take the piss.
Your NHS dentist should be able to refer you to the nearest dental hospital to assess whether they will do the root canal. You might have to push for the referral. I had a long standing infection and old root canal (at least 20 years). My dentist left the tooth as long as possible, prescribing antibiotics if it flared up. Eventually they made a referral to the dental hospital and I had the root canal for free. I waited about 3 months for the appointment.
You still need to pay for a crown afterwards.
The prices you were given for private treatment are similar to those I was quoted (Midlands). It’s expensive. I thought about having the tooth taken out, but my dentist persuaded me to see if the dental hospital would do the work.
I had a similar issue. Was told root canal might not even work although they would do it if I wanted to. If it's due to repeat infections, just get it removed. You might end up paying out twice and having two payments rather than one cheaper one. And you don't really need it.
Once so far. I had issues all last year with my tooth, antibiotics stopped it mid year but then the injection came back. Tooth felt weird on and off all year too. The infection might come back. 😞 It's up to you, I got given both choices too and just took the removal option because I didn't want to have to get another procedure done.
I got a root canal then ended up needing to get the tooth extracted about 18 months later. I paid out and got an implant which I wish I'd done from the start. Surprisingly, my dentist didn't mention the failure rate of root canals and kinda made out that it was the next course of treatment after an infection that I got, I didn't realise I had another option.
I had to go private for my implant as my dentist didn't offer them.
Sorry, poorly worded on my part. I meant that I went to a different (private only) clinic, not that I expected them to do an implant on the NHS. My surgery doesn't do implants at all.
Guess my dentist isn't very good then, as she clearly told me when I first had toothache "I'll prescribe you antibiotics, if they don't work then we can do root canal referral". I went back to see her a week later and she said they hadn't worked.
Shame that good dental care is considered a luxury in the UK.
I've never really understood why something so important as your teeth aren't treated in the same was as other medical procedures which can get done on the NHS for free.
NHS dentist band 2 (the approx £77 one) covers both root canals and extractions. If you are with an NHS dentist then I don't know why they won't do the root canal. Should the root canal fail within a reasonable period of the procedure then that £77 you paid would also cover the extraction. Source: happened to me recently.
Because they don't have to do it. If they don't believe they can do the procedure, they refer it. I don't know why so many people on here are saying the same thing.
I had root canal on that exact tooth. Not too long later the thing cracked in half & had to be removed anyway. I ended up getting a bridge & wish I'd never bothered.
I’ve literally just had my second molar removed 2 months ago for similar reasons.
They did root canal that they say didn’t take properly so told me I could either pay to have it redone privately for like £1500 or they would extract it.
I decided that, since I can’t see it when I smile and I can’t chew with it anyway, I would let them remove it.
It felt weird for a while and it’s still odd, brushing the gap, but you move on very quickly and get used to it tbh
They want willing victims to get free dental treatment that is a bit slower than usual. I got two root canals and gold crowns this way a decade ago age they've been fine.
I had a root canal done at a uni school of teaching almost 8 years ago, I paid nothing and it's still going strong. I would 100% recommend seeing if you can be referred to a dental school.
NHS dentists seem routinely to refer root canal to private practitioners. It wasn’t always like this, I had a root canal done on the NHS a few years ago. Unfortunately, it failed.
My wife’s choice will probably be to have an implant done in the UK at an equivalent cost to a root canal plus crown.
Teeth, even remaining roots, can be used as foundation points for implants or dentures in the future. Never remove a tooth than can, potentially, be saved.
For a molar I'd just go for extraction - I've had 2 molars out previously, 1 private 1 NHS. The private experience was vastly superior (the NHS guy told me off for moving and spent ages rooting around...private was done in seconds).
Never had a root canal but it sounds like a lot of faffing around for a back tooth, extraction is out and done.
I’ve just had a lower molar out, dentist couldn’t do it (turned out it had 3 roots) so referred me to a difficult extraction private dentist, no cost. Heard lots of bad stories about root canals, rather just have it out.
How was this? I’ve got a failed root canal and been to a specialist who has recommended getting it out and is getting me to have it done by an oral surgeon due to my roots & them being complicated/unusual, dreading it.
I had no pain, but I told him I need more anaesthesia than others (the previous dentist had to give me 2 more injections, he listened when I told him and leathered me with injections). He was quite rough and I was tense the first couple of mins. I just shut my eyes and tried to relax as much as possible. Once I relaxed my shoulders it was a breeze! I didn’t realise I had 3 roots until he was almost done and noticed it. Took an extra couple of mins and I was up and about. I promise, the thought of it is worse than the action. It’s bled a lot since, and lost 2 blood clots, which is meant to be the worst thing to happen, but there is still a small clot left and mainly mild discomfort at this point.
Ah thank you!! Hopefully you recover from it soon! They mentioned I may need a hole closing if there is one which connects my nose to my mouth which is why I’ve been referred to an oral surgeon and dreading it😭
Ah, not to rub it in, but that does seem rubbish. I’m sure it will be fine. It’s almost always the thought of it that’s worse. I’m sure you’ll be fine.
Had it done Sat, tbh not sure why my dentist couldn’t have done the same thing. I was in and out in 15 mins. Bit painful after, but so far, so good. The thought of it was worse than the actual procedure. Lots of blood since (it covered my pillow), but I’m happy so far.
There must be something complex as they wouldn’t refer to a private provider for a root canal. You might have tight root canals so need to see an endodontist to have a good success.
It’s a lot of money but save your tooth is worth it. You’d need an implant otherwise to prevent bone loss and their £3k minimum.
It's only complex in the sense that it's a molar with multiple canals, and my NHS dentist does not do root canals on molars full stop. There is nothing specifc to my particular tooth e.g. curved roots etc.
That’s not true though. NHS dentists do do root canals on molars. I’d suggest you ring the practice and ask specific the reason it’s been referred out and why it’s not offered on the NHS.
I did ask if it could be referred on the NHS instead and my dentist just said they don't do that, it's either private or extraction.
They also told me blank that she doesn't have to do root canals on molars if she doesn't want to and always refers them out.
Which is true but “doesn’t want to” isn’t a clinical reason. Ask specifically why she doesn’t want to (I.e. what makes her think it’s not within the scope of the NHS contract).
We don’t know the clinical reason. OP has just said because the dentist didn’t want to. This sounds like either OP doesn’t know the reason or has misunderstood it. Dentists can just not do something because they don’t want to.
I pressed for an NHS referral and it was made to sound like it's not something that is possible unfortunately, "we only do general dentistry", which did surprise me.
I''ve got no issues with being referred but I had assumed it would be an NHS specialist, I only knew it was a private referral when she mentioned there would be a consulttion cost. I was given no concrete reason why it had to be private.
Complex root canals (I.e. molar) have to be provided as band 2 if provided at all but the NHS guidelines say it’s fine to recommend extraction instead.
I think this is just a thing with your dentist, I’m in exactly the same position as you right now, I’ve been offered root canal or extraction, totally my choice & it will be done by normal NHS dentist. Currently on some antibiotics for the infection but I’m thinking extraction in case it becomes a recurring problem (and I don’t fancy the root canal!)
Is it also for a molar? My dentist said she would do root canal on any other tooth, but she doesn't feel comfortable doing molars so always refers (which is fine by me, but when she mentioned referral I had assumed it would be to an NHS specialist).
Yes defo! It’s second to last on my bottom row on the left. As far as i am aware you can always request a referral ti be NHS, does your local hospital have a dental department?
Actually they don’t have to offer molar rct according to the contract. They do up to premolars but not molars. And definitely not second molars as they aren’t seen as essential teeth.
Root canal is an additional skill beyond routine dentistry and requires additional equipment. If the dentist isn’t qualified then they’ll refer out. If they don’t have the equipment they’ll refer out. The nhs payment barely even covers the cost of the treatment never mind a profit aka the dentists pay. It’s often not worth doing so they refer out to a private clinic who will make a profit and thus will do it
Yeah, sounds like the job is too difficult for the dentist. I have a private dentist and my root canals are so narrow and awkwardly curved that he referred me to a more experienced colleague - who charged according for the complexity of the job!
My NHS dentist referred me to an NHS specialist for a root canal after it failed when she did a basic one herself. I know I'm lucky and it's a lottery to get a good dentist, but it's not true that it's not possible on the NHS
That's interesting to hear. I did ask for NHS referral instead and was told that it's not possible to do that. I'm stuck really as since they have refused to refer me to an NHS specialist I assume there's no way for me to refer myself.
The NHS specialist might not be available in your area (it’s very very underfunded so most areas won’t have it unless you strict criteria). Have a look for dental schools, that’s a cheap alternative.
Find a dentist in Europe and fly there to have it sorted, not only you'll get a much better treatment but you'll pay a quarter of what they quoted you here, including flights.
I had the choice of an NHS root canal and crown or an extraction a few years back, for a back molar. The first option was obviously more expensive, but it was also a lot more time heavy (multiple appointments) which is not easy with work and a child to look after. So, I opted for the extraction; the entire thing took 15 minutes and I was back at work less than an hour after it was done. No lasting issues and it hasn't affected my ability to eat/speak/whatever, so I am happy with my choice. The less time in the dentist's chair, the better (for me).
I had a molar I'd cracked a few times with grinding. I was due to have a root canal when covid hit, so naturally that didn't happen. During that summer it started getting really sore again, they still weren't doing root canals (aerosol generating procedure). The dentist said he could give me another round of antibiotics and "see if that worked." I had it pulled instead.
But then again, I'm in my 40s and married, and the juice was just not worth the squeeze to me.
I Hvd all wisdom teeth out since esrly teens, and last year had my 2nd molar removed.
It was strange to get used to, but so much better than the alternative. No root canal option given, but wouldn't have taken it. Don't miss it and is inky noticed if you're offering people a gaping maw
I have done root canal in London for 300 (pre molar) but it didn’t suceeed tbf.
I then went to a root canal specialist and he recommended extraction and told me to go my home country (I’m from south Europe and doc was Greek)to do implant (so it’s 800 instead of 4K)
Not a dentist but you should ask if extractions can have complications so you can make an informed choice. Sometimes the space left from an extractions can weaken the other teeth
Get it out, you will not miss it. Had my first molar removed, in fact it was the first ever thing done with my teeth in 55years. I got it out in February I think and it was done with zero pain in 3mins or less, it was incredibly easy and no problem and I have not missed it at all. I might have to have the wisdom tooth out that was next to it, we are just waiting to see, dentist thinks decay has stopped and with good access to it now to clean, maybe I can keep it.
You're being screwed, my NHS dentist has done 2 root canals, band 2 work at £76.60 each. Unless you don't care about cost I'd look at finding another dentist.
If it's an isolated incident, no other gaps, I would have an extraction personally. I have had 3 extractions over the years - 1 lower-right molar, 1 upper-left molar, and recently an upper-right pre-molar. The pre-molar gap is visible when I smile, but I'm 56 and don't really give a monkey's.
Friend of mine is a dentist and said that whenever possible you should try to keep teeth. Otherwise the adjacent and opposite ones move around and can cause all sorts of problems down the line.
To be honest though for the amount you're being charged for the root canal and crown, you might as well look into getting an implant.
Lost the same tooth when I was in my mid 20s due to a mixture of being lazy and too many disco biscuits. Had a gap there for like a decade until i finally decided to get it sorted.
The implant process wasn't particularly pleasant (what dental procedure is?) but once I'd had it done (along with 2 crowns on other teeth that were knackered) I was kicking myself for not getting it done sooner.
Cost something like £5k for all of the work through an implant specialist in Bristol - not cheap, but deffo some of the best money I've spent on myself. Can't tell at all that the work has been done - looks indistinguishable to a layman.
Root canals are good but not permanent fixes, I think they last between 2 to 10 years, I got unlikely with mine and it failed after 2 and then I had to have the tooth out, thankfully though the root canal was done through an NHS dentist and so it didn't cost much, less than £100 I think, although that was quite a long time ago.
I faced similar a few years ago
The dentist said to me they’re recommendation was if you can see it get a crown if you can’t pull it out
Dunno if that was just for me but I got a crown on the visible one and extracted the rear molar
I had a root canal that was complicated as at the back. It basically failed as it still hurt after. The private dentist gave me a quote for their specialist to dig it out and redo it which was in the thousands. Just opted to have it taken out
I had an upper molar extracted. The bone shrivelled up and became really uncomfortable. I ended up getting an implant which helped a lot but it’s still a bit uncomfortable.
I had a molar removed as a teen and it's never caused me any issues. On the other hand, I've had them try to save my front tooth for 20 years after I first smashed it up, root canal been done and failed, replaced several times. I just finally had to have it removed and ended up paying 3k for an implant, but the amount of times I've had to have it redone in the last, especially 10 years I wish I'd gotten it removed earlier. The cost of the implant was also only so expensive because they had to completely rebuild the bone after the root canal failed and infection had eaten away my bone
It depends on the tooth but for molar definitely extraction. I had molars and back teeth extracted due to repeated infections, but for my two front teeth I had root canal. The alternative was extraction and then implant, which would have been thousands for two teeth.
If it’s a molar I would lean towards extraction. In my case that was cheaper as well which is why I picked that.
Root canal was very long and painful. I remember being in the dentist chair for absolutely ages. Also, root canals can fail years later. I had mine done 15 years ago, and last year it started to cause issues, occasionally pain and now had to look at re-root canal or extraction and implant. So far I have decided to not do anything because of the cost, and just wait until I have no choice.
I've had 2 root canals, from private dentists, on my rear molars. Both failed within 2 years and ended up having them removed, never noticed they were missing after a few weeks. You get used to not having them, when they're so far back.
No one was right at the back, the upper one is the one before the back tooth.(had a bridge put in there)
I've been told by my current dentist it can be hit or miss if it works. I didn't get any problems for a couple of years at first, then, started getting problems.
Ask your dentist what the success rate is, you may be lucky and not have problems, depending how much work the root canal needs. I have quite deep roots, so I think they had trouble making sure all the decay was out of the root, and just hoped for the best.
I had root canal done on 2nd tooth from the back, bottom jaw (is that a molar?) by my NHS dentist and it didn’t really fix my issue. He gave the option of going again or extraction. The cost wasn’t an issue since it was NHS but I just couldn’t bothered with the hassle and just chose extraction. That was 10 years ago and I’ve had no issues and it fixed the pain I was having. Obvs, your situation and dental issues are different but I’ve not really noticed any problems with having a tooth missing and nobody can see it unless they go nosing around in my mouth.
I had the same issue. My NHS dentist would not do a molar root canal. Mine was fiddly, needed the microscope as my nerves were curved and had calcified. I paid £1500 all in including the cap. I would shop around as I think even for a molar root canal, that is overpriced. Implants are roughly the same price as what you have been quoted, and a root canal has roughly a 1 in 5 chance of not working. There is also the option once the bill gets that high to look abroad, Poland seems to get reccomended a lot.
I had old black fillings I had them replaced to new white ones £20 each and then I had whitening done for like £200. Really good service and each year I go back for checkups
I got crown on all of my teeth and 2 bridges for 3800 in Turkey a year ago. I'm 44. No I would not get a single tooth done in the UK for 1900-2400 that is nuts.
I had the same molar removed, after repeated root infections and could not afford the cost of the root canal. I had a partial clip denture for that tooth, but it was annoying and never used it. A few years later, when better financially paid for a bridge. This was 15 years ago, and was in my late 20s. I have had the bridge replaced once.
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EasilyExiledDinosaur@reddit
Dunno man but I live in korea and paid around £400 for a root canal, porcelain implant and crown.
The uk is a joke lol. I couldn't afford to move back from the cost (and lower quality) of dentistry alone.
agiantalpaca@reddit
I’m a dentist and do half NHS and half private. That is an exceptionally high price even for a difficult RCT by a specialist. In my practice that would be £700 including the composite core if it was all private. Your usual dentist would do a metal crown on the NHS or can do a white one privately - you’d have to ask what they would charge for that
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Looking at a few endodontists in the area, they all state fees for molar RCT starting from around £900+ so could be a location thing. Are you based in the North maybe?
anderped@reddit
Head North and have the work done?
agiantalpaca@reddit
Yes I’m in the north east - fees vary between practices and obviously tend to be a bit more down south, but £2400 on a single tooth would be on the higher end regardless!
One-Drink-8843@reddit
I was told by one dentist that I needed a tooth extraction. I went to get a second opinion and that dentist was able to save the tooth and put a crown there. I went with that option because I was scared of the extraction.
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
@OP I’m a dentist who does specialist root canals. That cost is on the expensive side, if the tooth is in anyway of questionable restorability I would consider getting an implant for a similar cost.
If you do want to go down the root canal route, shop around for specialists. A root canal completed by a specialist has about 93% success rate at 10 years post treatment providing it is also restored properly (a crown is essential) so with those stats in mind it’s up to you.
And nhs dentists don’t have to offer molar root canal sadly-don’t listen to any one who says they do, they haven’t read the ridiculously long contract which stipulates what nhs dentists have to offer
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Thanks. I'm going to contact a different specialist tomorrow of my choice and get a second consultation to see if their price is similar.
Also, if I just got an extraction done now, is there a time limit for getting getting an implant later?
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Well, first specialist I contacted can't even do the initial consultation until 30 days time :)
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
Kind of yes, it’s best to get it it with in about a year as you risk other teeth adjacent and above drifting into the space
Fancy_Bandicoot6895@reddit
Is it true that if you have a gap the bone starts to deteriorate around it? I'm quite scared of the effect it would have if I didn't get a bridge done
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
Yes bone does resorb.
txteva@reddit
Is it near the back? I'd just get it removed.
Equal_Membership_923@reddit
I had 2 root canals on the same tooth and then an apisectomy which was an absolute disaster. I didn’t have to pay as far as I remember but this was around 2006/7. I ended up having the tooth out. My sister also had 2 botched root canals (different dentist). Based on my experience I’d just have the tooth out.
Isgortio@reddit
£1.9k for a root canal?! Even the specialists I worked with near London didn't charge half of that, wtf.
Has the tooth had a root canal already?
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
No, the tooth already has a white filling from around 5 years ago, that's all.
£140 Consultation
£110 Sectional scan £1390 Molar root canal treatment £400 Core build up
£332 NHS metal crown
Not London or any large city.
Isgortio@reddit
Jeez. Have a look for universities, they will do it much cheaper for you
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
Aren’t you a therapist?
Isgortio@reddit
Dental therapist yes but my university offers treatment to the public if they're happy to see students, and it's something not everyone is aware of.
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
Then why do you feel you can comment on what nhs dentists are obliged to offer?
Stay in your lane.
Isgortio@reddit
Wow. We're supposed to work as a team. I'm going by everything that I've been taught at uni and as a dental nurse, what our lectures from the NHS have taught us and what NHS dentists I've worked with over the last 8 years have told me they need to do. I hope you know what's in my scope and it's not just a "lol peasant therapist only does hygiene and knows nothing" attitude.
If the options, as OP suggests here are: an extraction on the NHS or go see a specialist for an RCT for almost £2k, that's not fair on the patient because if they're financially limited they only have the option of an extraction, they haven't been offered to see another dentist on the NHS or privately, or an NHS specialist, just straight to as private specialist. If it was an implant, sure, those aren't routinely offered on the NHS but RCTs are.
Obviously we don't know the condition of the tooth, but more options should have been given to the patient in terms of the RCT, not just immediately to a private endodontist potentially without a cost estimate beforehand.
PM-me-your-cuppa-tea@reddit
London would be cheaper I suspect.
Obviously there's crazy expensive dentists in London, but competition means prices aren't crazy. My consultation at a private dentist is £35, scans were £40 for basic or £80 for their high tech scan
these_metal_hands@reddit
I was in a similar situation and opted for root canal.
Six months later I had to pay for extraction anyway. Go figure.
zukerblerg@reddit
can tell you I've gone for the extraction over saving it, and it was a decision I regretted for years.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Why, was it painful or difficult to chew without the tooth?
zukerblerg@reddit
no , I'm embarrassed about having missing teeth and it was short term thinking to save on finances for some thing that would sit with me for life, irreversibly.
Friendly_External345@reddit
Get a cheap flight to Europe, find a decent dentist,get work done, save £2k and have a long weekend away. Dentists take the piss in this country. I go private and my teeth are fucked from far too much ecstacy in the 80s and 90s,my dentist keeps patching them up and doesn't take the piss.
Head_Audience2014@reddit
Why is the dentist telling you to go private? I got this exact thing done on the nhs last year. £280 all in.
Sandy_Bananas@reddit
Nah. Id get it whipped out.
FridaysChild65@reddit
Your NHS dentist should be able to refer you to the nearest dental hospital to assess whether they will do the root canal. You might have to push for the referral. I had a long standing infection and old root canal (at least 20 years). My dentist left the tooth as long as possible, prescribing antibiotics if it flared up. Eventually they made a referral to the dental hospital and I had the root canal for free. I waited about 3 months for the appointment.
You still need to pay for a crown afterwards.
The prices you were given for private treatment are similar to those I was quoted (Midlands). It’s expensive. I thought about having the tooth taken out, but my dentist persuaded me to see if the dental hospital would do the work.
Ok_Young1709@reddit
I had a similar issue. Was told root canal might not even work although they would do it if I wanted to. If it's due to repeat infections, just get it removed. You might end up paying out twice and having two payments rather than one cheaper one. And you don't really need it.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Only got infected once but the antibiotics failed to save it and nerve is now dead.
Ok_Young1709@reddit
Once so far. I had issues all last year with my tooth, antibiotics stopped it mid year but then the injection came back. Tooth felt weird on and off all year too. The infection might come back. 😞 It's up to you, I got given both choices too and just took the removal option because I didn't want to have to get another procedure done.
MarmaladeCat1@reddit
Then the antibiotics simply suppressed an infection short-term.
It’s like putting air fresheners on your rubbish bin. It doesn’t mean the rubbish isn’t rotting; you still need to take it out.
lifetypo10@reddit
I got a root canal then ended up needing to get the tooth extracted about 18 months later. I paid out and got an implant which I wish I'd done from the start. Surprisingly, my dentist didn't mention the failure rate of root canals and kinda made out that it was the next course of treatment after an infection that I got, I didn't realise I had another option.
I had to go private for my implant as my dentist didn't offer them.
Altruistic_Cress_700@reddit
I had root canal work 30 years ago. Tooth still going strong
mikpgod@reddit
No dentist will offer implants under the NHS.
lifetypo10@reddit
Sorry, poorly worded on my part. I meant that I went to a different (private only) clinic, not that I expected them to do an implant on the NHS. My surgery doesn't do implants at all.
MarmaladeCat1@reddit
Antibiotics didn’t “fail”.
Antibiotics don’t save teeth. They help suppress the infection while you get definitive treatment (extraction or root canal).
This is just the way it is.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Guess my dentist isn't very good then, as she clearly told me when I first had toothache "I'll prescribe you antibiotics, if they don't work then we can do root canal referral". I went back to see her a week later and she said they hadn't worked.
MarmaladeCat1@reddit
Yes. I agree with your sentiment.
Antibiotics are wildly overprescribed.
sakmentoloki@reddit
I had to have a root canal on Portugal while on holiday after an infection. For 164 euros private hospital.
Dental in this country is a joke
(not an eu citizen)
Bayakoo@reddit
Yeah and that’s on the higher end in Portugal for a root canal tbf. Sadly dentistry is a luxury in this country
sakmentoloki@reddit
Considering the alternative, and the fact I could just walk into a private hospital and have it done same day I wasn't gonna complain with that price.
Bayakoo@reddit
Not saying you did bad just pointing out it’s even cheaper than what you paid as an emergency
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Shame that good dental care is considered a luxury in the UK.
I've never really understood why something so important as your teeth aren't treated in the same was as other medical procedures which can get done on the NHS for free.
ShineAtom@reddit
NHS dentist band 2 (the approx £77 one) covers both root canals and extractions. If you are with an NHS dentist then I don't know why they won't do the root canal. Should the root canal fail within a reasonable period of the procedure then that £77 you paid would also cover the extraction. Source: happened to me recently.
sperry222@reddit
Because they don't have to do it. If they don't believe they can do the procedure, they refer it. I don't know why so many people on here are saying the same thing.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Sounds like typical NHS area lottery then.
Salt-Evidence-6834@reddit
I had root canal on that exact tooth. Not too long later the thing cracked in half & had to be removed anyway. I ended up getting a bridge & wish I'd never bothered.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Given the cost I would be pretty annoyed if it didn't last. Maybe at half the price it would be a no brainer, but I'm torn atm.
MysteriousFan7983@reddit
I’ve literally just had my second molar removed 2 months ago for similar reasons.
They did root canal that they say didn’t take properly so told me I could either pay to have it redone privately for like £1500 or they would extract it.
I decided that, since I can’t see it when I smile and I can’t chew with it anyway, I would let them remove it.
It felt weird for a while and it’s still odd, brushing the gap, but you move on very quickly and get used to it tbh
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Thanks, sounds like it isn't end of the world to just get it taken out then.
Limp-Archer-7872@reddit
Do you have a dental college near you?
Eg kings college near denmark hill.
They want willing victims to get free dental treatment that is a bit slower than usual. I got two root canals and gold crowns this way a decade ago age they've been fine.
Tbh i bet they charge for this these days.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
I'll have a look, thanks.
_eldubs_@reddit
I had a root canal done at a uni school of teaching almost 8 years ago, I paid nothing and it's still going strong. I would 100% recommend seeing if you can be referred to a dental school.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Nothing near me unfortunately, although I found out they will be opening a new one nearby next year! Good for future reference at least.
EUskeptik@reddit
My wife has almost exactly the same problem.
NHS dentists seem routinely to refer root canal to private practitioners. It wasn’t always like this, I had a root canal done on the NHS a few years ago. Unfortunately, it failed.
My wife’s choice will probably be to have an implant done in the UK at an equivalent cost to a root canal plus crown.
-##-
Divewench@reddit
Teeth, even remaining roots, can be used as foundation points for implants or dentures in the future. Never remove a tooth than can, potentially, be saved.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
I would prefer to save the tooth, but didn't realise how much it would cost to do so.
D0wnInAlbion@reddit
For £2.4k you're not too far off paying for an implant.
CeaselessWatcher00@reddit
For a molar I'd just go for extraction - I've had 2 molars out previously, 1 private 1 NHS. The private experience was vastly superior (the NHS guy told me off for moving and spent ages rooting around...private was done in seconds). Never had a root canal but it sounds like a lot of faffing around for a back tooth, extraction is out and done.
OpeningDonkey8595@reddit
I’ve just had a lower molar out, dentist couldn’t do it (turned out it had 3 roots) so referred me to a difficult extraction private dentist, no cost. Heard lots of bad stories about root canals, rather just have it out.
frenchbread07@reddit
How was this? I’ve got a failed root canal and been to a specialist who has recommended getting it out and is getting me to have it done by an oral surgeon due to my roots & them being complicated/unusual, dreading it.
OpeningDonkey8595@reddit
Best advice I can give you, close your eyes, relax your shoulders and just let them get on with it.
frenchbread07@reddit
Thank you! Not booked in yet but I imagine it’ll be this month😅 I’m dreading after it more I think
OpeningDonkey8595@reddit
I had no pain, but I told him I need more anaesthesia than others (the previous dentist had to give me 2 more injections, he listened when I told him and leathered me with injections). He was quite rough and I was tense the first couple of mins. I just shut my eyes and tried to relax as much as possible. Once I relaxed my shoulders it was a breeze! I didn’t realise I had 3 roots until he was almost done and noticed it. Took an extra couple of mins and I was up and about. I promise, the thought of it is worse than the action. It’s bled a lot since, and lost 2 blood clots, which is meant to be the worst thing to happen, but there is still a small clot left and mainly mild discomfort at this point.
frenchbread07@reddit
Ah thank you!! Hopefully you recover from it soon! They mentioned I may need a hole closing if there is one which connects my nose to my mouth which is why I’ve been referred to an oral surgeon and dreading it😭
OpeningDonkey8595@reddit
Ah, not to rub it in, but that does seem rubbish. I’m sure it will be fine. It’s almost always the thought of it that’s worse. I’m sure you’ll be fine.
OpeningDonkey8595@reddit
Had it done Sat, tbh not sure why my dentist couldn’t have done the same thing. I was in and out in 15 mins. Bit painful after, but so far, so good. The thought of it was worse than the actual procedure. Lots of blood since (it covered my pillow), but I’m happy so far.
KuromiFan95@reddit
You're being ripped off. Private root canal should never be more than 700 max.
GetCapeFly@reddit
There must be something complex as they wouldn’t refer to a private provider for a root canal. You might have tight root canals so need to see an endodontist to have a good success.
It’s a lot of money but save your tooth is worth it. You’d need an implant otherwise to prevent bone loss and their £3k minimum.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
It's only complex in the sense that it's a molar with multiple canals, and my NHS dentist does not do root canals on molars full stop. There is nothing specifc to my particular tooth e.g. curved roots etc.
GetCapeFly@reddit
That’s not true though. NHS dentists do do root canals on molars. I’d suggest you ring the practice and ask specific the reason it’s been referred out and why it’s not offered on the NHS.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
I did ask if it could be referred on the NHS instead and my dentist just said they don't do that, it's either private or extraction. They also told me blank that she doesn't have to do root canals on molars if she doesn't want to and always refers them out.
GetCapeFly@reddit
Which is true but “doesn’t want to” isn’t a clinical reason. Ask specifically why she doesn’t want to (I.e. what makes her think it’s not within the scope of the NHS contract).
Isgortio@reddit
They're required to do them in the NHS, wtf. Lots of dentists don't want to do molar endo but they have to if they're an NHS dentist.
GetCapeFly@reddit
They don’t have to do anything outside of their remit, contracting or clinical capability.
Isgortio@reddit
Complex cases, yes, but not doing any molar endo because they don't want to isn't something they can get away with under the NHS.
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
Actually the contract doesn’t stipulate that we have to do molar Endo at all. Only up to premolars
GetCapeFly@reddit
We don’t know the clinical reason. OP has just said because the dentist didn’t want to. This sounds like either OP doesn’t know the reason or has misunderstood it. Dentists can just not do something because they don’t want to.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
I pressed for an NHS referral and it was made to sound like it's not something that is possible unfortunately, "we only do general dentistry", which did surprise me. I''ve got no issues with being referred but I had assumed it would be an NHS specialist, I only knew it was a private referral when she mentioned there would be a consulttion cost. I was given no concrete reason why it had to be private.
TurbulentHamster3418@reddit
That’s bizarre, root canals are surely routine dentistry?? This pic is on my dentists website under ‘NHS fees’
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
The nhs basic dentistry contract is complex and root canals are not included as having to be offered for molar teeth.
Majority of general dentists won’t do any root canals let alone molars because it’s considered a complex treatment.
niteninja1@reddit
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr41lg6ddelo
Root canals have fallen off a cliff.
Complex root canals (I.e. molar) have to be provided as band 2 if provided at all but the NHS guidelines say it’s fine to recommend extraction instead.
GetCapeFly@reddit
Specialists aren’t widely available under the NHS sadly.
TurbulentHamster3418@reddit
I think this is just a thing with your dentist, I’m in exactly the same position as you right now, I’ve been offered root canal or extraction, totally my choice & it will be done by normal NHS dentist. Currently on some antibiotics for the infection but I’m thinking extraction in case it becomes a recurring problem (and I don’t fancy the root canal!)
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Is it also for a molar? My dentist said she would do root canal on any other tooth, but she doesn't feel comfortable doing molars so always refers (which is fine by me, but when she mentioned referral I had assumed it would be to an NHS specialist).
tbar44@reddit
Get a better dentist honestly, root canals are far more common on molars than other teeth so she’s absolutely at it and talking nonsense.
TurbulentHamster3418@reddit
Yes defo! It’s second to last on my bottom row on the left. As far as i am aware you can always request a referral ti be NHS, does your local hospital have a dental department?
GetCapeFly@reddit
It depends on the area. If there’s a dental school near OP that could also be a cheap route (but be prepared to be there all day).
Crafty_Reflection410@reddit
Actually they don’t have to offer molar rct according to the contract. They do up to premolars but not molars. And definitely not second molars as they aren’t seen as essential teeth.
Soz
Milam1996@reddit
Root canal is an additional skill beyond routine dentistry and requires additional equipment. If the dentist isn’t qualified then they’ll refer out. If they don’t have the equipment they’ll refer out. The nhs payment barely even covers the cost of the treatment never mind a profit aka the dentists pay. It’s often not worth doing so they refer out to a private clinic who will make a profit and thus will do it
sadsack100@reddit
Yeah, sounds like the job is too difficult for the dentist. I have a private dentist and my root canals are so narrow and awkwardly curved that he referred me to a more experienced colleague - who charged according for the complexity of the job!
niteninja1@reddit
i mean they did but the stats show the number of rct on the nhs have dropped massively
louisesarahp@reddit
My NHS dentist referred me to an NHS specialist for a root canal after it failed when she did a basic one herself. I know I'm lucky and it's a lottery to get a good dentist, but it's not true that it's not possible on the NHS
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
That's interesting to hear. I did ask for NHS referral instead and was told that it's not possible to do that. I'm stuck really as since they have refused to refer me to an NHS specialist I assume there's no way for me to refer myself.
GetCapeFly@reddit
The NHS specialist might not be available in your area (it’s very very underfunded so most areas won’t have it unless you strict criteria). Have a look for dental schools, that’s a cheap alternative.
AfternoonLines@reddit
Find a dentist in Europe and fly there to have it sorted, not only you'll get a much better treatment but you'll pay a quarter of what they quoted you here, including flights.
Mental_Body_5496@reddit
I've had my crowns for a long time some for over 40 years (had an accident as a teenager).
I have orivide dental care and one root canal was done by a specialist without insurance and was less than that !
Time-Invite3655@reddit
I had the choice of an NHS root canal and crown or an extraction a few years back, for a back molar. The first option was obviously more expensive, but it was also a lot more time heavy (multiple appointments) which is not easy with work and a child to look after. So, I opted for the extraction; the entire thing took 15 minutes and I was back at work less than an hour after it was done. No lasting issues and it hasn't affected my ability to eat/speak/whatever, so I am happy with my choice. The less time in the dentist's chair, the better (for me).
MadWifeUK@reddit
It depends.
I had a molar I'd cracked a few times with grinding. I was due to have a root canal when covid hit, so naturally that didn't happen. During that summer it started getting really sore again, they still weren't doing root canals (aerosol generating procedure). The dentist said he could give me another round of antibiotics and "see if that worked." I had it pulled instead.
But then again, I'm in my 40s and married, and the juice was just not worth the squeeze to me.
Dec-Mc@reddit
I Hvd all wisdom teeth out since esrly teens, and last year had my 2nd molar removed.
It was strange to get used to, but so much better than the alternative. No root canal option given, but wouldn't have taken it. Don't miss it and is inky noticed if you're offering people a gaping maw
Bayakoo@reddit
I have done root canal in London for 300 (pre molar) but it didn’t suceeed tbf.
I then went to a root canal specialist and he recommended extraction and told me to go my home country (I’m from south Europe and doc was Greek)to do implant (so it’s 800 instead of 4K)
Maleficent_Serve_926@reddit
Not a dentist but you should ask if extractions can have complications so you can make an informed choice. Sometimes the space left from an extractions can weaken the other teeth
Boggyprostate@reddit
Get it out, you will not miss it. Had my first molar removed, in fact it was the first ever thing done with my teeth in 55years. I got it out in February I think and it was done with zero pain in 3mins or less, it was incredibly easy and no problem and I have not missed it at all. I might have to have the wisdom tooth out that was next to it, we are just waiting to see, dentist thinks decay has stopped and with good access to it now to clean, maybe I can keep it.
cateml@reddit
My husband had exact same situation (other than no NHS dentist so had to pay more either way). Age 40.
He had the extraction. No bridge or implant, just a gap.
He has no regrets.
handysmith@reddit
You're being screwed, my NHS dentist has done 2 root canals, band 2 work at £76.60 each. Unless you don't care about cost I'd look at finding another dentist.
Spikyleaf69@reddit
Nope, I would have it out. Maybe a front tooth I would fight for but not a molar.
Historical_Project86@reddit
If it's an isolated incident, no other gaps, I would have an extraction personally. I have had 3 extractions over the years - 1 lower-right molar, 1 upper-left molar, and recently an upper-right pre-molar. The pre-molar gap is visible when I smile, but I'm 56 and don't really give a monkey's.
JoeDaStudd@reddit
I paid about £400 for a root canal and filling (they said a filling would be fine given, but still pushed a crown).
Another dentist quoted £1k+ and said I needed additional fillings on top of it that the NHS dentist wasn't bothered about.
the_topiary@reddit
Friend of mine is a dentist and said that whenever possible you should try to keep teeth. Otherwise the adjacent and opposite ones move around and can cause all sorts of problems down the line. To be honest though for the amount you're being charged for the root canal and crown, you might as well look into getting an implant.
niteninja1@reddit
at that price id strongly advise looking around and or considering a implant.
a implant on average is £2700 and will actually look like a tooth
SoundsDB@reddit
+1 for this.
Lost the same tooth when I was in my mid 20s due to a mixture of being lazy and too many disco biscuits. Had a gap there for like a decade until i finally decided to get it sorted.
The implant process wasn't particularly pleasant (what dental procedure is?) but once I'd had it done (along with 2 crowns on other teeth that were knackered) I was kicking myself for not getting it done sooner.
Cost something like £5k for all of the work through an implant specialist in Bristol - not cheap, but deffo some of the best money I've spent on myself. Can't tell at all that the work has been done - looks indistinguishable to a layman.
Professional-Bear857@reddit
Root canals are good but not permanent fixes, I think they last between 2 to 10 years, I got unlikely with mine and it failed after 2 and then I had to have the tooth out, thankfully though the root canal was done through an NHS dentist and so it didn't cost much, less than £100 I think, although that was quite a long time ago.
Jonny_rhodes@reddit
I faced similar a few years ago
The dentist said to me they’re recommendation was if you can see it get a crown if you can’t pull it out
Dunno if that was just for me but I got a crown on the visible one and extracted the rear molar
BriefStrange6452@reddit
Why can't your NHS dentist refer you to the NHS to have the root canal?
My private dentist referred me to the NHS for a complicated extraction.....
_methuselah_@reddit
I had my lower 2nd molar removed a couple of years ago. No issues & I don't miss it.
Metal crown for \~£330! My dentist quoted me £800 last week (although I don't know if that was metal or something else)
Doug__Quaid@reddit
I had a root canal that was complicated as at the back. It basically failed as it still hurt after. The private dentist gave me a quote for their specialist to dig it out and redo it which was in the thousands. Just opted to have it taken out
mikec62x@reddit
I had an upper molar extracted. The bone shrivelled up and became really uncomfortable. I ended up getting an implant which helped a lot but it’s still a bit uncomfortable.
slippery-pineapple@reddit
I had a molar removed as a teen and it's never caused me any issues. On the other hand, I've had them try to save my front tooth for 20 years after I first smashed it up, root canal been done and failed, replaced several times. I just finally had to have it removed and ended up paying 3k for an implant, but the amount of times I've had to have it redone in the last, especially 10 years I wish I'd gotten it removed earlier. The cost of the implant was also only so expensive because they had to completely rebuild the bone after the root canal failed and infection had eaten away my bone
lavayuki@reddit
It depends on the tooth but for molar definitely extraction. I had molars and back teeth extracted due to repeated infections, but for my two front teeth I had root canal. The alternative was extraction and then implant, which would have been thousands for two teeth.
If it’s a molar I would lean towards extraction. In my case that was cheaper as well which is why I picked that.
Root canal was very long and painful. I remember being in the dentist chair for absolutely ages. Also, root canals can fail years later. I had mine done 15 years ago, and last year it started to cause issues, occasionally pain and now had to look at re-root canal or extraction and implant. So far I have decided to not do anything because of the cost, and just wait until I have no choice.
Rude-Possibility4682@reddit
I've had 2 root canals, from private dentists, on my rear molars. Both failed within 2 years and ended up having them removed, never noticed they were missing after a few weeks. You get used to not having them, when they're so far back.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Oh that sucks, that's what I'm worried about really if it won't last long. So you've just got two gaps now and feel fine with that?
Rude-Possibility4682@reddit
No one was right at the back, the upper one is the one before the back tooth.(had a bridge put in there) I've been told by my current dentist it can be hit or miss if it works. I didn't get any problems for a couple of years at first, then, started getting problems. Ask your dentist what the success rate is, you may be lucky and not have problems, depending how much work the root canal needs. I have quite deep roots, so I think they had trouble making sure all the decay was out of the root, and just hoped for the best.
MiserableAd2744@reddit
I had root canal done on 2nd tooth from the back, bottom jaw (is that a molar?) by my NHS dentist and it didn’t really fix my issue. He gave the option of going again or extraction. The cost wasn’t an issue since it was NHS but I just couldn’t bothered with the hassle and just chose extraction. That was 10 years ago and I’ve had no issues and it fixed the pain I was having. Obvs, your situation and dental issues are different but I’ve not really noticed any problems with having a tooth missing and nobody can see it unless they go nosing around in my mouth.
Repulsive_State_7399@reddit
I had the same issue. My NHS dentist would not do a molar root canal. Mine was fiddly, needed the microscope as my nerves were curved and had calcified. I paid £1500 all in including the cap. I would shop around as I think even for a molar root canal, that is overpriced. Implants are roughly the same price as what you have been quoted, and a root canal has roughly a 1 in 5 chance of not working. There is also the option once the bill gets that high to look abroad, Poland seems to get reccomended a lot.
Worried-Departure386@reddit
Or go abroad I go Poland personally
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Definitely tempting.
Worried-Departure386@reddit
I had old black fillings I had them replaced to new white ones £20 each and then I had whitening done for like £200. Really good service and each year I go back for checkups
ceciem2100@reddit
I got crown on all of my teeth and 2 bridges for 3800 in Turkey a year ago. I'm 44. No I would not get a single tooth done in the UK for 1900-2400 that is nuts.
Surely-Blue@reddit (OP)
Pricing does seem crazy compared to other countries. I'm not sure if she just referred me to a particularly expensive dentist in the area or not.
PresentRelevant3006@reddit
I had the same molar removed, after repeated root infections and could not afford the cost of the root canal. I had a partial clip denture for that tooth, but it was annoying and never used it. A few years later, when better financially paid for a bridge. This was 15 years ago, and was in my late 20s. I have had the bridge replaced once.
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