What is the prognosis under the NHS of root canal treatment for a decaying tooth?

Question

Are X-rays taken? does it hurt post-op? is it the skill of the dentist or the shape of your root canals? is the private treatment an expensive con?

What does it feel like to have a bloody great hole where the tooth used to be?

Answer 1

Yes x-rays are taken to ensure that the canal has been cleaned. Shape of the canals rarely has anything to do with the treatment, usually skill. Private treatment would be exactly the same, the only difference would be the filling material used. A hole is made in the tooth so a fine needle like instrument can be insterted into the root canal. This is called a file it removes the nerve and shapes the canal. This is done for anything between 2 mins and 15 mins depending which tooth it is and how many canals there are, ie usually one canal for every root. Measurements are taken and then the canals are sealed using rubber needles covered with a healing cream. The filing is placed. This should not hurt during treatment and if it does let your dentist know so they can administer more anaesthetic. Post op it can be tender for a week or so, but eating away from that side will help. Pain can be subsided by takeing paracetamol.

Answer 2

I also have had a root canal filling. I cant say it was much fun but is far better than losing the tooth. They took xrays, numbed the area and start to drill it out. They will remove the nerve which I felt as creepy but not as pain (?) and hollowed out the roots. Next they xrayed again to make sure all the decay was gone. They cleaned the inside of the tooth and packed it with plastic rods which they melted into place-it smelled horrible but was otherwise fine and then placed 'normal' filling on top. I dont know why the roots were filled with plastic-perhaps it is stronger? Any how I was very glad I had it done because over time the thin layer of my natural tooth broke away and because the root was firm they were able to fix a porcelain one to it with a peg. The only thing that is annoying is that where the tooth is now effectively dead the gum line has receded-but this wont be a problem if they manage to save the natural tooth. Bit elongated reply but my response is whether you pay for it privately or are able to get it on the NHS (have you tried a dental hospital?) it is definitely worth doing as in the long run it will ensure that you will have at least one tooth in your mouth in old age! lol. Best of luck.

Answer 3

From experience I had a root canal filling on the national health, x-rays were taken, injection to numb gum face and to prevent pain, then drilling, the root is usually removed and the tooth filled after, discolouration of the tooth can occur but hasn't done so in my case.

If your tooth is rotten I would think the whole tooth will be removed, so I don't see the point in having a root canal treatment or filling unless the dentist thinks he can save the tooth.

If the tooth is removed the gum will heal over eventually,
just trust your dentist would be my advice.

If you are already receiving treatment under the national health you don't have to pay for this treatment privately, it is your choice.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I had a very bad experience with nhs dentist about root canal treatment near lost my tooth so a private care was worth all the money.

Answer 5

a root filling is not painful....the area is numbed and all the dead pulp tissue is removed, radiographs are taken to check the length of the root, once this has been established the canals are filled with hot gutta percha, then the tooth is refilled and a final x-ray is taken, there may well be some discomfert up to 48 hours after bu this is quite normal, under the new NHS contract it should cost £42.40, i am a dental nurse by the way

Answer 6

now im frightend! ive got to have this done :(