OUCH!!

[Rob W]

Just back from the dentist.

The choice given to me is ?350 for root canal treatment or ?50 and I can have the tooth taken out....

Which would you choose. I need to know by Monday.

I'm in bl**d*ng agony.

[Tim W]

I'd have a go at the old Beano treatment of a piece of string tied to a door handle.

[Mark Davies]

I had a root canal done 15-20 years ago. Fairly uncomfortable experience at the time, but the tooth is still functioning today. It was free/cheap back then, but I think that I would still be tempted to give it a go at ?300.

[John Bannon]

Just back from the dentist.

The choice given to me is ?350 for root canal treatment or ?50 and I can have the tooth taken out....

Which would you choose. I need to know by Monday.

I'm in bl**d*ng agony.

Rob, This is a serious answer, unlike many of my postings.
If you have a University Hospital near by. Go to the dental department with your problem. Sign up to a third year student and as long as you sign a disclaimer will get your problem sorted for nothing. If he/she takes a liking to you may get a few gold caps thrown into the bargain. Thay have to do this to get through the course. They are overseen by qualified dentists, so it shouldn't be a problem.
I did this many years ago and I've not had any major worries since. 

P.S. My mates call me gummy now......only joking of course.

[Dave Bardsley]

Having tried both I can professionally advise that the root canal and crown work hurts the pocket but does allow you to crunch Glacier Mints (or Wethers if you've reached that stage) for a good number of years afterwards.  Oddly, Midget Gems tend to stick slightly to the crown but this is only a minor inconvenience as they have now removed the licorice one' so they are not as addictive as they used to be.

The extraction allows you to lose peas and other small objects in the newly created void, which is fun for a while but soon loses its attraction.

Spend the money I say. In a couple of years time you won't miss it, but you'll always miss your teeth.

For further advice I would suggest http://www.monologues.co.uk/First_Ladies/My_Teeth.htm

[Nick Nation]

...but does allow you to crunch Glacier Mints (or Wethers if you've reached that stage)....

Blimey, I've heard of alternative therapies....but I really wouldn't fancy a mouthful of Pugwash....

[Davey]

i think you should take the tooth out.it's cheaper, + i had a wisdom tooth that came in on the top, nothing on the bottom.it bothered me for a year.i was scared to have it taken out.i went to the dentist, they pulled it right out no problem.then i had a wisdom tooth deep within that was never supposed to show itself.just the top was exposed.and food would get caught there.they had to take it out.it was deep within mind you.well they took it out and it wasn't that bad.they gave me a needle of novocaine,that was the worst part and that was only for  less than 30 seconds.i would definitely get the tooth taken out,then it's over.i have a little space back there but nothing gets caught;everything is copesettic .root canal sounds like a production....maybe you can get laughing gas...but gee i guess it matters what tooth it is,if you want to keep that particular tooth,than i don't know 'cause i've never tried root canal-peace...

[Pete T]

At our age, teeth don't grow any more. Which would you rather, a set of plastic in a glass by the side of your bed, or the real thing in your mouth. No choice. ?350 is a lot of money, but worth it..

[Rob the Organ]

At our age, teeth don't grow any more. Which would you rather, a set of plastic in a glass by the side of your bed, or the real thing in your mouth. No choice. ?350 is a lot of money, but worth it..

Yep, pay up and look big. I had some RCT earlier in the year and all okay.

You'll look back and smile upon it one day - and will have enough teeth left to smile with confidence!

[Rob W]

Thanks everyone.

A mouthful of Pugwash - no thanks!

I 'd have thought The Bard would have judged the success or otherwise of root canal treatment on whether he could chew an Everton mint or not. 

The Beano teatment seems a bit of a laugh, but I'm taking up JB on his suggestion. Nothing to do with saving money, nothing to do with me wanting to do my little bit to help today's students become tomorrow's professionals, not even anything to do with my teeth, nope. I'll do whatever I can to have sme fit , nubile, 3rd year university bird, putting herself about in my mouth.   

[Martin Daughton]

An old friend of mine was in a band called The Coathangers in Nottingham.
Their catchphrase was to ask attractive women "How do you wake up with a smile? Got to bed with a coathanger in your mouth".

[John Bannon]

I'll do whatever I can to have sme fit , nubile, 3rd year university bird, putting herself about in my mouth.   

It won't necessarily be a female student.....

[Pete T]

Rob,
How's the teeth now..?

[Rob W]

Rob,
How's the teeth now..?

Thanks, Pete. I'm touched.

Took up JB's suggestion. Phoned the university, they took my name, said I'd receive a phone call. At earliest I'd been seen in September when the new term starts. I couldn't wait that long so had it done at Sainsbury's (that's right, Sainsbury's). They've also done some other stuff for me.
Didn't receive a call from the university, but I will contact again. They did confirm every visit would be free.

Well you did ask.....Pete, wake up!!!

[Pete T]

Just got back from Helmsdale (go on look it up on google earth!), a 160 mile round trip to sort out toothache. Got an abcess under a tooth. Solution, rip it out, or root canal work. No choice, root canal. Why Helmsdale? Cause that's the nearest NHS Direct (Scotland) could fit me in as an emergency, as I've not managed to registered with a dentist yet (18 months since the move).

I've asked, via e-mail, all the candidates for Sutherland, Caithness and Easter Ross (look it up on google, the largest [area] constituency, with the smallest [population]) what they plan to do to improve the Dentist problem. Not had one reply.