Front tooth root canal problem

[MARKHGV]

My dentist just attempted root canal on the upper right 1 tooth. Halfway through he said he needed an x-ray as he could not find the root. Even then with this he said it was either closed or very very small. He patched me up and said i would have to be referred for someone to look into it with a microscope.
I was told without this work the tooth would last 6 - 12 months.
For the NHS to do this i would wait 18 - 24 months
So to do it private would cost £400 - £600.
Anyone else have experience of this proceedure.
I already spent £1600 plus £2100 to pay on bridgework.

 

[Zzzdentist]

It sounds like your tooth was very calcified. Sometimes, especially after a previous injury in the past, the nerve builds up excessive amounts of dentin inside the canal and shrinks up to nothing. Some end up fine, but other times they can abscess.

Gaining access to the shrivelled up root canal can be very difficult especially if going through an old crown. There might not be anything there to get into as it can often be like a solid block of tooth that the dentist is trying to get through looking for a miniscule opening where the canal used to be.

So Annie is correct in that your dentist has chosen to look after your best interests rather than risk any untoward events that can happen while trying to get to the root canal system.