NHS dental problems + failed root canal

So I didn't ever have dental insurance in the USA, nor did my parents, so admittedly, I do not have great teeth. But they aren't awful and falling out or anything, either.

A bit more than a month ago I went to the Studental on my campus (I'm a graduate student currently) for pretty severe pain, and had a root canal done. It didn't actually hurt that much as a procedure or anything, and the dentist seemed nice enough. BUT. part of the drill that is used to clear out the nerve ending broke off, right at the end of the nerve ending. The dentist decided because it's only .03mm long, to leave it in. That seemed fine, he said it happens sometimes due to the delicacy of the instruments and torque, etc. Okay.

Well, a month later, and I'm in probably more pain than before I got the stupid root canal. Went to the dentist today, and the xrays were not conclusive as to what's going on, but he put me on a round of antibiotics (apparently it would be good if it's *just* an abcess), but didn't seem that confident. He seemed to think there's a high chance the root canal failed, in which case the NHS doesn't cover any future treatment with this tooth, which is a lower molar.

So he said that if the antibiotics don't work, he could extract the tooth, or I could go see a endodontist, privately. He also said to expect this would cost £1000 (!!!!!). I can't afford that, but I don't want to lose my tooth. I also feel like it's a bit unfair that if it's failed (and we're not 100% sure yet) and I have a piece of a drill still in my gums, that I should have to pay for all of this to get sorted out.

Has anyone gone through a failed root canal? Seen an endodontist? Or any dentist recommendations in Oxford, as my current one doesn't see so great?
I'm REALLY concerned about the cost here, and have heard that some of the dental schools in London have free clinics, but I'm not sure they'd cover what I need. Any ideas?

I can't answer everything, but I had a root canal many years ago and when I found my dentist here in the UK, he pointed out on the X-ray that I have a broken off piece of drill.  He assured me that it happens quite often and that it shouldn't be a concern.

When I had my root canal done, I did have a course of antibiotics to ward off infection as well.  I have never had an issue with it (except when I get a sinus infection and I get some tooth pain).

Hopefully the antibiotics are all you need.

I do think that it's unfair for you to have to pay out of pocket to correct a problem they made though (if the antibiotics don't work).  I would push that a bit...

You can try to get a referral to a dental school, i'm not sure if it is free or reduced though.

I've just found this:  http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/nhs-dental-treatment-goes-wrong.aspx

which says: 'If you were provided a restoration (filling, root filling, inlay, porcelain veneer or crown) as part of your course of treatment, and it fails within 12 months, your dentist should carry out any work needed to repair or replace the restoration free of charge.'
My dentist literally told me he couldn't do anymore work on it, so I'm annoyed to see this difference. I'm gonna have to call the NHS dental people, I think.

@KFdancer, I've been having wicked sinus pain, like almost constant sinus headaches (I hate summer.) for the last week or 10 days. maybe that all affected my tooth too. Thanks for the reassurance on multiple points!

You can try to get a referral to a dental school, i'm not sure if it is free or reduced though.

I've visited King's College Dental Institute at Guy's & St.Thomas' Hospital before.  Treatment was free, and students were lovely. More information available here. 

I currently work in new product development for oral healthcare, and some of the professors at King's serve on our expert panels-- they really know their stuff, so I'd expect they pass on this knowledge/experience to their students!

I've just found this:  http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/nhs-dental-treatment-goes-wrong.aspx

which says: 'If you were provided a restoration (filling, root filling, inlay, porcelain veneer or crown) as part of your course of treatment, and it fails within 12 months, your dentist should carry out any work needed to repair or replace the restoration free of charge.'
My dentist literally told me he couldn't do anymore work on it, so I'm annoyed to see this difference. I'm gonna have to call the NHS dental people, I think.

The problem, is that a root retreatment (if that is indeed what you need) isn't something your average dentist will be able to do. It's a fairly delicate procedure and requires specialist tools. I had it done while in university, but that was about ten years down the line from the original procedure. If he thought the treatment might fail or not last very long he should have told you that before you agreed to the treatment.

I think you should try to press your dentist if there are other options for you other than private, if you don't have any luck you should try a second opinion (and maybe a third or fourth depending on what is available to you locally).

Could your dentist refer you, as an urgent case, to the nearest hospital with dental facilities? I'm so sorry you've had this experience, and your dentist should be doing more to help you as the root canal has failed. Perhaps he'd like to pay for the private treatment!