Not sure of my rights

[Valiain]

Can anyone help.  I have had to visit my NHS dentist many times this year.  The most recent 3 visits have involved the same tooth.  It was filled.  Then had emergency treatment which became infected. Then had root canal filling in late July. The same tooth has now started to cause discomfort again and has darkened significantly.  As it is a front upper tooth this is worrying as it will not look to good if it gets any darker.

I have spent quite enough money on dentistry this year and wonder if I will have to pay yet again for this same tooth to have its problem sorted properly.

Your advice would be appreiated.  I have been given an appointment for root canal review in a couple of weeks.

[bertiesmile19]

If your tooth has a problem because of inadequate treatment, you should not have to pay to have this put right. Having said this, the anatomy of the root canal system of a tooth can be complex and sometimes further treatment (that cannot be foreseen without perhaps a CT scan, which is overkill for basic dental treatment) may be necessary. Let's assume that the root treatment appears to be technically adequate (based on the x-ray) and it is still causing discomfort. Then if you are intent on saving your tooth then you could either end up with a re-root canal treatment by a specialist using a microscope , or an apicectomy.  This is certainly going to cost you extra. I have not yet found a root canal treatment specialist who delivers this level of care on the NHS. Alternatively you may elect to have the tooth removed and replaced with something else (denture, bridge or implant).
The colour change - this sometimes happens following root canal treatment or a blow to a tooth that results in the nerve dying in the tooth. In a root treated tooth this can be remedied relatively easily by internal bleaching of the tooth. Sometimes however, the tooth is so badly damaged by large fillings preceding the root treatment that a crown, which will cover any disolouration, is required in any event.
Hope this has been of some help - I'd start by getting a second opinion, not because I don't trust your dentist, but a new pair of eyes may just see something else.