Root canal treatment

My previous dentist, a private one, had a master's degree in root canal treatment. He was wonderful and I had several done before I had to move south. On a visit to New Zealand, I had an abscess and had to have root canal work done. In considerable pain, I didn't think to ask about the dentist's qualifications, but she did an excellent job and charged about a third of the cost of treatment in England. Now I have an NHS dentist. I am not sure what post graduate qualifications he has.

<ex dentist here>
The difference between a general dental practitioner and an endodontist is that the endodontist will have undertaken post-graduate, specialist training in endodontics (root canal treatment) at their own expense and they will also have invested many thousands of £s in special equipment to enable them to carry out complex procedures. This, as well as the surgery time needed to carry out these procedures, is reflected in the cost of such treatments.

The title of endodontist can only be used by a dentist who has completed specialist training and is not, as one ignorant poster suggested, simply a ploy to charge patients more money.

Some root canal treatments, usually in front teeth, are straightforward and well within the competence of a general dentist.

Others, with multiple curved canals, as is often the case with molar teeth, are not.

Hope that helps.

My dentist in South Buckinghamshire referred me to an endodontist. For two root canal treatments I paid about £1,500

I've had root canal on the NHS with no bother. Can't recall the cost but not expensive. My dentist has now gone private. I had a rc 3 months ago. My private insurance with this dentist gave me 10% off the full cost and I paid £400. It became complex. The nerves were also like spaghetti like pp, they also would not freeze. Thus it was very painful and had to be spread over 3 appointments. It took him the 3 appointments to remove all of the fine roots that were meandering at will. Each appointment was one hour. As long as it freezes ok, all will be good. If it had frozen it could have been completed at the first appointment.
I'm sure my dentist was sorry he had quoted me just £400.

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. I really appreciate your input. I have much to chew on 😆

BlueBelle

Years ago I had root canal but just with the ordinary NHS dentist never heard of an endodontist sounds like a made up name to justify charging you more

No, it's not a made up name, endodontists do exist!!

I have had to have several root canal treatments. The extra complex ones were done by an endodontist, but my own dentist did the others. I have teeth with roots like spaghetti which causes problems.

NHS root canal treatment is £73.50 regardless of front/back.

This is the same charge as an extraction - but obviously takes much much longer!

These are my local BUPA prices:

Root canal (front teeth) From £513.00
Root canal (back teeth) From £834.00

Most recent root canal treatment was just over a year ago. Done by a specialised dentist at my surgery who only does rc treatment. Cost over £1000. It is a very lengthy process - nearly an hour with my mouth wide open! Tooth absolutely fine now. Good luck!

Waterloosunset

Gosh NotSpaghetti, that’s cheap! In London? Thx

No. The Midlands. But of course it's a "from" price.

I don't know what you need it, but in my case I was advised by my dentist I needed it for 2 teeth that the gums are receding on (causing awful toothache), however, I have Fibromyalgia and I can't hold my mouth open for a long time or my jaw locks, so I couldn't have the treatment as it is lengthy. Instead, she advised me to use gum and enamel protection toothpaste and she applied two dental varnishes over the exposed root parts. 6 months later it's doing fine.

I've had root canal treatment twice as well. Both done by my dentist, painless and no problems down the line. It was quite expensive though.

Ladyleftfieldlover
🤣🤣

I have had two root canal treatments. I was very worried the first time - it sounds horrific, but in reality it was very similar to an ordinary filling. Main difference was it took much longer but no discomfort during or after treatment. You will be fine !

I had two molars that required Root canal treatment. Both initially done by NHS dentist but years later started again to give me pain. NHS couldn't sort them as they became very painful to work on. He recommended a dentist that only did root canal work and he was able to do a completely painfree job but said he couldn't guarantee it long term. One lasted 10 years and the other is still hanging on 15 years later. The treatment I had from the specialist was worth every penny, £500 for each tooth but over 15 years ago.

Farzanah

Does it perhaps depend on type and situation of tooth whether regular dentist will/can do? I had one years ago at NHS dentist fine. Last year paid around £700 privately referred by my dentist, for root canal in back molar. It failed and paid further to have tooth out!
Was a bridge, so then had 2 implants costing around £5,000 and I’m definitely not wealthy.
No wonder there are Porsches and other high end cars etc in the dentists car park 😲

I probably paid for several holidays and the dentist’s daughter’s wedding!

I’ve had several root canal treatments over the years. Some of the time by an NHS dentist and other times privately. I can’t remember the cost, but probably several hundred pounds. I never had any problems and the dentist used plenty of local anaesthetic. Apparently some dentists do this treatment over two appointments but mine always did it in one go. It is a fairly long appointment and I always felt a bit drained afterwards, but not in pain.

Should add that my second root canal was by an endodontist after my NHS dentist was unable to access the root.The affected tooth is a retainer for a fixed bridge.

Does it perhaps depend on type and situation of tooth whether regular dentist will/can do? I had one years ago at NHS dentist fine. Last year paid around £700 privately referred by my dentist, for root canal in back molar. It failed and paid further to have tooth out!
Was a bridge, so then had 2 implants costing around £5,000 and I’m definitely not wealthy.
No wonder there are Porsches and other high end cars etc in the dentists car park 😲

Gosh NotSpaghetti, that’s cheap! In London? Thx

I had it done years ago when a tooth was pretty much beyond saving. It was very badly infected.I was recommended a private dentist by a dentist I'd seen for a second opinion so I went to him. At the time my tooth was worth more than my car. But I had my own NHS dentist finish it off with a crown which saved a lot of money. I think NHS dentists are limited in the amount of time they can spend with a patient and it's probably even worse now.

BlueBelle re endodontist, see post 13.57 by Waterlooville.

Root canal treatment "from £256" at my (private) dentist. I just looked it up.

BlueBelle

Years ago I had root canal but just with the ordinary NHS dentist never heard of an endodontist sounds like a made up name to justify charging you more

Yes absolutely Bluebelle, that’s exactly what I was thinking too!