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Two different opinions expressed ?

F

FRESTER

Junior member
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
9
Hi,
I had some pain in my front tooth which is crowned a couple of months ago so went to see my dentist who took a xray and told me there was a shadow above the crown.He gave me antibiotics and said if it doesn't settle it would need the infection removed.
I went for my check up today and have had no trouble from the tooth since but the different dentist I saw said it would need removing if it causes any more problems, so I am confused.
One says no problem just open up and clean out the infection and the other says it will need removing.
I am with a nhs dentist, could it be they dont want to mess around doing more than they have to ?
 
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Thanks for your reply,there really isn't anything to see in a picture apart from the crown.
I suppose if it becomes a problem again I will have to pay for a second opinion,I get free dental now because of a tax credit exemption cert.
Does anyone have a idea of the cost of X-ray and consultation at a private dentist ?
 
If you look around at some dental practice sites that do private often they have a price list on there. You won't be able to get an accurate figure but it will give you an idea.

You don't always need to go private, you can change dentists within the nhs. I had a similar problem, I had a nhs dentist that was all for fighting to save my teeth then he left, the new dentist just wanted to pull a tooth that had had a rct when I got an infection on it. I found another nhs dentist that has referred me and I am going to have it re done in a bit to save the tooth.

Don't just let someone pull a tooth, I would go with the opinion that the first dentist gave you, it sounds like he is saying that a rct (root canal treatment) needs to be done on the crowned tooth.

You need a nhs dentist that is prepared to do this and try and save your tooth. It may not work but it is best to give it a try, rather than just have the tooth pulled.
 
Hi Carole,Many thanks for your reply.
The tooth has had rct but seems to have a slight infection in the gum which shows on the X-ray as a thin arched shadow in the gum above the tooth if that makes sense.
It isn't causing any pain but can sometimes be a little sensitive,there are not many nhs dentists in my area so it might be worth paying to see what another dentist thinks.
My wife had a infection in 2011 which was huge going along four teeth but the same dentist just sent her to a specialist to have the infection removed.
The look on my face when he said do you want me to pull this out for you must have been a picture lol.
Being a front tooth I really want to try all I can to keep it as long as possible,don't fancy paying 2k for a implant :(
 
Your best option is to have the root canal treatment re-done by an endodontist. It may be infected because it wasn't done ideally in the first place. If a private endodontist cannot retreat it, an implant is your best bet. The problem is both are expensive options. The re-treat might also need a new crown as the problem could be that the crown has leaked or similar.

Clearly just taking the tooth out because that is what is easiest for an NHS dentist to do, is not the optimal treatment for your teeth. You can pay for better care.
 
Yes I agree with brit, it is always best to keep your own teeth if possible. I would consider going private if there isn't a nhs dentist near you that you can see. Once your teeth are gone they are gone.

Fight to keep your tooth until the bitter end.
 
Decided to get a second opinion from another nhs dentist I found.
Going next week for a consultation,so I should find out one way or another if it can be saved or has to come out.
If it has to be extracted I will go and see about a implant,I have been quoted £1700 for that so hoping it doesn't come to that :(
 
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