Question about root canal - NHS vs Endodontic vs Private - Nervous patient

[KingCompton]

Hi there.

I am due a root canal and I've managed to somehow get an NHS appointment for next month. The root canal there will cost me £72 (without a crown), £320 with a crown. Great!

The dentist said it will be two 30 minute appointments for the procedure. The tooth is a complicated tooth to work on and it's had a temporary filling in for a year now with no real issues. Is two 30 minute appointments enough time to do this procedure or does it sound like it will be a rushed job. Or is it hard to tell and just luck of the draw?

The dentist said there is a 50/50 chance the root canal on NHS will be a success.

I also have the option of seeing an endodontic but the cost different is HUGE. It starts at £1000 for the root canal alone, and the crown extra is £1300 on top of that. I don't have that kind of money spare, but I could pay monthly if it really is that much better of an experience.

I also saw a private dentist with an expert in root canals and they quoted me £1480 for route canal and a crown. Again a big difference compared to the NHS.

So I'm just wondering is it worth taking the NHS route or does it sound like it's not enough time to do the procedure properly? Should I just try the NHS route or could there be more issues in the future. Or is it just hard to tell as it depends on the dentist.

I am a nervous patient but the cost difference is so huge I should be OK to just soldier on with the NHS treatment.

Thank you.

 

[Gordon]

Or is it just hard to tell as it depends on the dentist.

Yep.
A specialist using a microscope will have a much higher chance of finding all the canals and cleaning them out properly. It'll take a lot longer but the odds of success will be higher than 50:50.

How about getting the root canal privately and the crown on the NHS if it's not that visible?

 

[KingCompton]

I have heard this.

"How about getting the root canal privately and the crown on the NHS if it's not that visible?"

This could be an option. Though it is on a premolar (UL4), on the corner of my smile. The private dentist (not endodontic) quoted £685 for the root canal filling, then it's a porcelain jacket crown for £765.

Would there be a big difference between endodontic and private? The private root canal dentist does specialize in root canals but I guess unless you know who the dentist is you can't really tell me how much of a difference there is between them. I know the endodontic in St Albans seems incredible though.

Does 50/50 chance seem like a stupid idea to risk at NHS?

 

[Gordon]

I really can't answer the question. If it's a tricky root canal then you want somebody using a microscope to do it. Ask the private guy if he uses one, which might help you decide.

50/50 seems a very pessimistic outcome, as a dentist I wouldn't try doing something with such a poor prognosis, I'd refer it out.

 

[KingCompton]

That is fair enough. Yeah that is a good idea, I could ask the private dentist about their equipment.

And I do agree I thought 50/50 sounded low too and I'm not looking forward to the experience either. Arghh I can't decide! Thank you for your input though.

 

[Gordon]

I'm not looking forward to the experience either.

I had one done about 6 months ago, it really really isn't that bad.
As the patient it's just long periods of not a lot (feeling) like it's happening while they file out the canals. Best sensation I can compare it to is having your nail filed

 

[dezz183]

@Gordon is a extraction more easier to do then a root canal im assuming?

 

[Gordon]

Not always.

 

[dezz183]

@Gordon ah ok ok thanks for answering