Root canal Bangkok

[Paxton]

I have just been to the dentist and to my surprise, it's not just a filling that I need done but root canal. Has anyone had this treatment recently with an endodontist? I don't have a big budget (max 10k - preferably much less) and like most people, I don't enjoy dental work so I would like to see an endodontist that understands that it's not fun getting a root canal and won't skimp on the anesthetic. I have big teeth and massive roots so when they are messed with, the usual one or two shots of anesthetic just isn't enough.

I found several excellent threads on the site about this alas they are about 5 years old so wanted to find some updated information. Apologies if there is a more recent thread that I have not found. I saw some seemingly ridiculous prices such as 3000 baht for the treatment which could be due to the age of the threads. Today I was quoted 12000 to 14000 baht for my root canal. This was at a large clinic in the city and it looked like they spent a lot of money on the clinic decor and appeared to be way over-staffed which I assume means higher prices for customers. I'm not sure if a smaller clinic might mean a better price or lower quality work or both...

Any help would be appreciated.

[CharlieH]

Moved to Bangkok forum for local knowledge

[Paxton]

Moved to Bangkok forum for local knowledge

Thank you!

[lopburi3]

Although that is probably a high price it will not be cheap if a molar and then you have added costs of crown and maybe a pin to hold it. I have not had pain issues in Thailand and have had a number of RCT's.

Alternative is tooth removal which would be much less cost - but then you are faced with no tooth (if only one perhaps acceptable), need a bridge, or need an implant. All of which cost but could wait for a better financial moment.

[Jim walker]

I got my last root canal treatment at the dental centre at BNH absolute excellent painless procedure first class dentist but a lot more than 10000 to do the work.

[JHolmesJr]

14K seems about right if its a molar…I had a RC done some months ago…..it's holding up pretty well.

Most times, teeth with a root canal also need to have a crown fitted on them….(or the tooth might fracture suddenly one day when you are chewing with it)…a crown costs a minimum of 12K and can be higher depending upon the material the crown is made from.

The entire procedure is done at one go…..root canal….followed by crown making and fitting a couple of days later.

[callaway]

I would strongly suggest heading over to Ramkamhaeng Road for a dentist. It is not in the tourist area and you will get local prices and damn good treatment. I found that the dentists over there are 25 to 30% of the prices that the Sukhumvit ones are. They do not have the pianos and violins in the reception areas and all the chrome and gold fittings but good service at a damn good price. Sounds like you have a budget and I am sure you can do it there for that. Cannot remember the name of the university there (big) but there is a few across the road from it. Just spoke to wife and it is Ramkamhaeng University and dentists are around soi 27.

[Paxton]

thanks for the replies, all. Its been a busy week or two but in the end I went to Dr Sunil Dental clinic. My last root canal was a bit of a nightmare so this time I wanted the work guaranteed with great clinic reviews and top notch work. I asked Dr Sunil for his best and looks like I got just that. The endodontist was a Thai doctor and the guy was a magician. I hate getting dental work done but I almost fell asleep in the chair....after all the drilling and grinding of course

The removal of the pulp and nerves was hell for me the last time and this time was a breeze. @ callaway, yes I just moved from Ramkamhaeng Road into the city so that is all a bit far away from where I am now but I remember seeing all the dental places while driving around. Had I still been living down there it would have made sense to go there.

I had to bargain them down to a good price and refuse the unecessary post-treatment extras they wanted me to buy such anti-inflammatories, tooth mousse (whatever that is) and the panoramic x-ray. All I needed was some nurofen in the end!! I received exceptional service at Dr Sunils with free drinks (non-alcoholic, unfortunately!), free pick up and return by car, free massage and free bad TV in the waiting room.

I still need to get the pin and crown fitted but the part I was feeling most apprehensive about is over and I swear never to eat sweets again!

[Trevor25222]

I had two root canal treatments in Thailand: at Thantakit in Bangkok and the German Dental Clinic in Pattaya. Both failed after 9 and 5 years respectively and the teeth had to be extracted. Re-root treatments (apicoectomy) are expensive and only work 50% long-term. In these cases it becomes more viable, financially and medically, to extract the teeth and fit implants. Thai endodontists are not reliable in my experience. By contrast, my more-expensive root-canal treatments in The West have lasted well.

[lopburi3]

I had two root canal treatments in Thailand: at Thantakit in Bangkok and the German Dental Clinic in Pattaya. Both failed after 9 and 5 years respectively and the teeth had to be extracted. Re-root treatments (apicoectomy) are expensive and only work 50% long-term. In these cases it becomes more viable, financially and medically, to extract the teeth and fit implants. Thai endodontists are not reliable in my experience. By contrast, my more-expensive root-canal treatments in The West have lasted well.

Root canal treatments are not apicoectomy.

Root canal treatment is a high 80-90% reliable long term - unless you plan on eternal life.

Thai dentists are fully reliable in my experience, and have had many root canal treatments dating back more than 40 years. Have never had a failure and the one suspect was done in USA with great pain and suffering - unlike those obtained in Thailand.

Are you sure it was failure of root canal and not failure of crown that caused the need for extractions?

[thai3]

4k at Mahidol, get another opinion some dentist want to do when no need. Last one I went to said root canal, another said no need and did a new crown for 6k, in bangkok as well. No problem getting a good dentist, problem is getting one that does not want to do unnecessary work, big places are the worst for this imo. Oh just realised the age of the thread, never mind still applies, find a good one man dentist is my advice.

Edited July 23, 2016 by thai3

[Trevor25222]

Root canal treatments are not apicoectomy.

In cases of root canal failure, 3 options are available:

1. Non-surgical (standard) endodontic re-treatment.
2. Surgical endodontic procedure done (Apicectomy with retrograde filling). Removal of root apices: typically if there is a post present, removal of which could fracture the tooth.
3. Extraction of the tooth.

The problem with regular Thai endodontists, who sometimes rotate between various general private practices, is a lack of specialist equipment such as the operating microscope. Only these two Bangkok clinics have this item, to my knowledge, in private dentistry. I only learned about them after my problems ...

Asavanant Dental Clinic.

Silom Dental Building (Dental Thailand).

The latter charges 10-12k Baht for molar root canals and 12-16k Baht for molar re-root treatments. This is cheap compared to Western prices of 2-3 times multiple. "4k" is not going to buy much in this specialisation these days!

Some American dentists state that root canals are mainly advised for pre-molar and front teeth only. This implies problems root-treating molars, which both of my losses were. Nerves run close.

Edited July 24, 2016 by Trevor25222

[JHolmesJr]

I dont think 10-16k baht is cheap by any stretch....maybe compared to the criminal costs in the west and singapore....how the hell do ordinary thais get decent dental work?

[F4UCorsair]

If you're still looking, try Bangkok Smile Asoke Road. It's a 5 minute brisk walk from Asoke BTS.

I've been using them for about 8 years, had a root canal, couple of crowns, quality work. I can't recall prices though.

[Trevor25222]

I don't think 10-16k baht is cheap by any stretch....maybe compared to the criminal costs in the west and singapore....how the hell do ordinary thais get decent dental work?

It's fairly cheap by world standards. The interesting point is that the better root-canal clinics I named, with operating microscopes and digital x-rays, charge little more than backstreet dentists using more-basic equipment and film x-rays. Poorer Thais, and some farang, take their chances with the latter.

An irony of Western pricing is that, for one tooth only, it is not worth the time and travel expense of journeying to Asia -- unless going for a holiday or other reason.

[thai3]

Root canal treatments are not apicoectomy.

In cases of root canal failure, 3 options are available:

1. Non-surgical (standard) endodontic re-treatment.
2. Surgical endodontic procedure done (Apicectomy with retrograde filling). Removal of root apices: typically if there is a post present, removal of which could fracture the tooth.
3. Extraction of the tooth.

The problem with regular Thai endodontists, who sometimes rotate between various general private practices, is a lack of specialist equipment such as the operating microscope. Only these two Bangkok clinics have this item, to my knowledge, in private dentistry. I only learned about them after my problems ...

Asavanant Dental Clinic.

Silom Dental Building (Dental Thailand).

The latter charges 10-12k Baht for molar root canals and 12-16k Baht for molar re-root treatments. This is cheap compared to Western prices of 2-3 times multiple. "4k" is not going to buy much in this specialisation these days!

Some American dentists state that root canals are mainly advised for pre-molar and front teeth only. This implies problems root-treating molars, which both of my losses were. Nerves run close.

The 4k was at Mahidol, no need to pay the outrageous prices they charge at some places

[oswald18]

My dentist is bangkok smile along sukhumvit 23 (asoke road) but i'm not sure if they moved their clinic at sukhumvit 5 (nana). Anyways, i had a root canal therapy with them 2 years ago, spent about 9k baht at that time for my premolar tooth. so far my tooth didn't have any problem since. you can probably check out their website for more accurate prices.

[JHolmesJr]

An irony of Western pricing is that, for one tooth only, it is not worth the time and travel expense of journeying to Asia -- unless going for a holiday or other reason.

You will be surprised....dr sunil dental actually owns their own hotel/serviced apts....the whole building.

Patients stay there for a few days, sight see and go for treatments.

Many aussies fly down just to get their teeth done.,,,

[Trevor25222]

What I really like about Thai and South-East Asian dentistry, compared to my native UK, is how patients can literally drop in to any clinic or hospital and be seen, at least for emergencies, initial assessment or cleaning, the very same day, or even hour!   In the UK private dentists refuse to clean teeth and even insist on authorising patients to see their in-house hygienist.   It goes like this: £105 to register privately, with a 2-month waiting list, then join the hygienist's waiting list: another 3 to 6 months ... hell you might even get your teeth cleaned within half a year!

 

... and if you thought private UK dentistry was bad enough, try the NHS ...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3383249/UK-s-dental-care-World-levels-Lack-NHS-treatment-England-led-crisis-care-say-hundreds-dentists.html

 

An example I experienced today in Cambridge (UK): one private dentist referred me to another private dentist, with whom I was already registered, for specialist assessment, and a simple extraction to a painful tooth was recommended.   The specialist's clinic, also a general dental practice, refused to book me in as it was a 'referral' and over 2½ years since I had last attended.   The referring clinic could not book me in for 18 days as their dentists were on holiday.   The regulatory General Dental Council refuses to assist patients in this area.   So I would have to find another private dentist, pay my £105, await an initial examination, and only then be treated at a later date.   It even takes up to 40 days for dentists to supply the relevant clinical data to another treating dentist -- so it's quicker to re-do (and re-pay for) the tests.   In Thailand/SE Asia I could parachute into a rural area, yet still have my tooth extracted by a small-town dentist within the day!

 

The downside of developing-world dentistry is that clinical errors and malpractice are poorly regulated, and compensation awards are paltry by Western standards.   Therefore it is essential to research your practitioner very carefully.   Also, you will only find titanium metal dental implants in Asia -- not the more-biocompatible European-made zirconia (ceramic) versions http://www.swiss-biohealth.com/

 

Edited August 17, 2016 by Trevor25222

[gandalf12]

Many, and I mean many,  years ago I had a root canal and it cost 10000 baht then. I would guess it is a lot more now. 

[NYGuy816]

Stumbled upon this discussion as I'm looking for dental clinic suggestions in Hua Hin. Anyway, speaking of reliability, I found the dentists in Thailand, particularly at Thantakit Dental, very knowledgeable and reliable. Had two root canal treatments with them for 7,000 THB each around 4 years ago. Happy with my experience and my teeth are still excellent. My colleague also had his dental implants at Thantakit and never had any problem. First class service and topnotch facilities are also a major plus.
 

[smokie36]

On 17/08/2016 at 3:37 PM, Trevor25222 said:

What I really like about Thai and South-East Asian dentistry, compared to my native UK, is how patients can literally drop in to any clinic or hospital and be seen, at least for emergencies, initial assessment or cleaning, the very same day, or even hour!   In the UK private dentists refuse to clean teeth and even insist on authorising patients to see their in-house hygienist.   It goes like this: £105 to register privately, with a 2-month waiting list, then join the hygienist's waiting list: another 3 to 6 months ... hell you might even get your teeth cleaned within half a year!

 

... and if you thought private UK dentistry was bad enough, try the NHS ...

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3383249/UK-s-dental-care-World-levels-Lack-NHS-treatment-England-led-crisis-care-say-hundreds-dentists.html

 

An example I experienced today in Cambridge (UK): one private dentist referred me to another private dentist, with whom I was already registered, for specialist assessment, and a simple extraction to a painful tooth was recommended.   The specialist's clinic, also a general dental practice, refused to book me in as it was a 'referral' and over 2½ years since I had last attended.   The referring clinic could not book me in for 18 days as their dentists were on holiday.   The regulatory General Dental Council refuses to assist patients in this area.   So I would have to find another private dentist, pay my £105, await an initial examination, and only then be treated at a later date.   It even takes up to 40 days for dentists to supply the relevant clinical data to another treating dentist -- so it's quicker to re-do (and re-pay for) the tests.   In Thailand/SE Asia I could parachute into a rural area, yet still have my tooth extracted by a small-town dentist within the day!

 

The downside of developing-world dentistry is that clinical errors and malpractice are poorly regulated, and compensation awards are paltry by Western standards.   Therefore it is essential to research your practitioner very carefully.   Also, you will only find titanium metal dental implants in Asia -- not the more-biocompatible European-made zirconia (ceramic) versions http://www.swiss-biohealth.com/

 

 

 

Well the part about ceramic crowns is not true as I have one in my mouth right now!

[ben2talk]

Living in Bangna area, about 3-4 years back I had some work done... the hilight being a few roots. One was a single root at the front (top, very easy) and the other was a molar at the rear (bottom). I forget some pricing, but the molar root needs a crown also.

 

The total cost to fix the molar, with a total of about 6 visits for root and crown work, was maybe 12k - at Silkarin hospital just off Srinakarin road. The 360 X-ray camera was rather a novelty to me... and the way they prepared for work was impressive to me... not at all what I've been used to... I felt I was being prepped for major surgery - and that's about right in my opinion. I can't imagine anything worse than tooth pain!

 

There was absolutely no pain 98% of the time... half of that is from spray (I'm extremely sensitive to temperatures... cool spray hurts).

 

Following the first visit I mostly snored (according to my son) my way through the sessions when the dentist wasn't bugging me by waking me up.

 

I just had two fillings done at a local clinic. After doing the molar she told me that it turned out to be a large cavity (no xrays done beforehand...) and that maybe there might be some pain later and the need to do root surgery.

 

The pain came a few hours later, and I'm looking at a few days without sleep until I can get an appointment booked.

 

I'm bored with the stupid 'you get what you pay for' comments. Dentistry is mostly skilled labour - and great dentists with great equipment aren't always expensive. Much as I'd like to save money, I can't see my way past returning to Silkarin. My only problem is with the Payment counter which did sometimes seem a bit random (their job being to add more to the charge sheet.... I protested and had one bill reduced by 40%).

[bkk6060]

9 hours ago, ben2talk said:

Living in Bangna area, about 3-4 years back I had some work done... the hilight being a few roots. One was a single root at the front (top, very easy) and the other was a molar at the rear (bottom). I forget some pricing, but the molar root needs a crown also.

 

The total cost to fix the molar, with a total of about 6 visits for root and crown work, was maybe 12k - at Silkarin hospital just off Srinakarin road. The 360 X-ray camera was rather a novelty to me... and the way they prepared for work was impressive to me... not at all what I've been used to... I felt I was being prepped for major surgery - and that's about right in my opinion. I can't imagine anything worse than tooth pain!

 

There was absolutely no pain 98% of the time... half of that is from spray (I'm extremely sensitive to temperatures... cool spray hurts).

 

Following the first visit I mostly snored (according to my son) my way through the sessions when the dentist wasn't bugging me by waking me up.

 

I just had two fillings done at a local clinic. After doing the molar she told me that it turned out to be a large cavity (no xrays done beforehand...) and that maybe there might be some pain later and the need to do root surgery.

 

The pain came a few hours later, and I'm looking at a few days without sleep until I can get an appointment booked.

 

I'm bored with the stupid 'you get what you pay for' comments. Dentistry is mostly skilled labour - and great dentists with great equipment aren't always expensive. Much as I'd like to save money, I can't see my way past returning to Silkarin. My only problem is with the Payment counter which did sometimes seem a bit random (their job being to add more to the charge sheet.... I protested and had one bill reduced by 40%).

Sounds like you need to load up on some Tylenol.  My Dentist in the states is driving a BMW based upon what I have paid in dental work over the past 15 years.

Your 12,000 b cost on your procedures would be close to 100,000 b in the US.  Root canal and crown each over $1,000 US now in California.  I trust most Dentists like I trust Attorneys.

Edited March 24, 2017 by bkk6060

[payanak]

Some American dentists state that root canals are mainly advised for pre-molar and front teeth only. This implies problems root-treating molars, which both of my losses were. Nerves run close

 

 

Totally absurd statement.