Assesment & Referral

Case Difficulty Assessment and Referral tool for Root Canal treatment.

This innovative software was devoloped at the QMUL and is now piloted exclusively by  Billis Endodontics for its first release.

Welcome

I am delighted to be able to offer a referral service for endodontic treatments in South East England (London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent).
My aim is to provide high quality root canal treatment in an efficient manner, using the latest techniques and equipment. I enjoy the challenge of treating nervous patients and changing their often unfavourable opinion of root canal treatment.

Once I have received your referral, you will be invited to attend an initial consultation appointment. Following this you will receive a customised treatment plan, so you will always know exactly the treatment you require and how much it will cost. Treatment options may vary depending on your clinical need and personal preference.

 ESE Certified MemberMembership can be verified here.

Meet George Billis

BDS, MSc (Endodontics)


FGDP(UK) Mentoring in Dentistry


MFGDP (UK), FHEA


Clinical Lecturer (QMUL)


GDC Reg. No: 78959

Specialist in Endodontics

George is a registered specialist in Endodontics with the General Dental Council (GDC) and the European Society of Endodontology (ESE). He qualified from the University of Athens, School of Dentistry in 1991 and later gained the Diploma in Implants-Biomaterials, a qualification in “Mentoring in Dentistry” from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP UK) and an MSc in Endodontics from Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL).
 
He has been working mainly in private practices and served the NHS England, accepting referrals for Complex Endodontic Cases. Since 2009 has been providing Endodontic treatment at the Royal London Dental Teaching Hospital and he is a Clinical Lecturer at The Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, where he teaches Endodontics to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
 
Over the years he has developed a special interest in surgical endodontics and guided tissue regeneration, which has become his main field of practice and research.
Penny Melitou

Meet Penny Melitou


MSc (Endodontics)
DDS Thessaloniki 2012

AssocFCGDent
London 2021

GDC Reg No:262415

Penny qualified as a dentist in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2012 and has since worked both alongside specialist dentists, and as a General Dental Practitioner, here in the UK.

Overtime, she has developed a special interest in Endodontics and furthered her studies leading to a Master’s Degree in Endodontic Practice from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

Penny has joined Billis-Endodontics providing a range of services in the field of Endodontics and is happily accepting referrals for challenging root canal treatments.

Currently she is attending a course on Health Professions Education by UCL, London.

Patient Testimonials

Dentist Testimonials

Information for Dentists

I hope you will regard me as part of your team and will contact me for your referrals and to discuss cases, and I can offer you help and advice on Endodontics. My aim is to offer your patients endodontic treatment, carried out in a relaxed environment using the latest techniques and equipment and returning them to you pain-free, confident and happy with the quality of treatment they have received. Your patient will only be offered treatment for which they have been specifically referred, with no other involvement with the practice where the treatment will be carried out.
The services I can offer include:

  • Emergencies involving pain/ ‘HOT’ pulps or Dental trauma
  • Apexification of immature teeth
  • Initial root canal treatments and re-treatments
  • Complex cases with unusual root canal anatomy
  • Complications due to sclerosed or blocked canals, missing or extra canals
  • Removal of posts, silver points and fractured instruments
  • Repair of perforations
  • Treatment/ advice on resorption cases
  • Endodontic surgery
  • ALL TREATMENTS AVAILABLE UNDER SEDATION

During their consultation patients will be fully informed of the procedure, cost and number of visits. Most treatments are completed in a single visit but badly infected or complex cases may require a second visit. The treatments are carried out using high magnification (Global operating microscope and/or Loupes), tooth isolation (rubber dam) and a variety of modern endodontic equipment and techniques. On completion of the endodontic treatment patients will be returned back to your care for a definitive restoration and routine dental treatment.
Patients and referring dentists will be able to contact me should any queries arise before, during or after an endodontic case is undertaken.

 

Information for Patients

My aim is to provide high quality root canal treatment in an efficient manner, using the latest techniques and equipment. I enjoy the challenge of treating nervous patients and changing their often unfavourable opinion of root canal treatment.
If you require endodontic (root canal) treatment or advice, your dentist will make a referral. You may also contact me direct or one of the dental practices where I carry out treatment. 

It is important that you find it easy to contact me at any time with queries, fully understand the procedure and the stages of the treatment, as well as the associated costs (all discussed during your consultation) and feel comfortable throughout the treatment.
Your registration and regular dental care will stay with your own dentist.
At the Billis Endodontics clinic you will only receive advice and treatment relating to the root canal treatment for which you have been referred. We will send you and your dentist the details of any treatment you receive at Billis Endodontics.

FAQ

The following ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ are provided by the British Endodontic Society and can also be viewed at:
http://www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk/patients/further-information.html.
You can also visit the American Association of Endodontist website at:
https://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals-explained.aspx.

The word ‘Endodontics’ comes from the Greek meaning ‘inside’ (endo) the ‘tooth’ (odons). Endodontic treatment, also known as root canal (treatment), is a treatment of the tooth aimed at clearing infection, as well as preventing the tooth from subsequent infection. This damage may occur for a variety of reasons, for example, dental caries (decay), trauma, or damage resulting from old fillings, crowns etc. The alternative to root canal treatment is often extraction of the tooth.

Sometimes root canal treatment is completed in one appointment but usually two or three visits may be necessary.

With proper restoration and care your tooth it may last a lifetime after root canal treatment. Proper dental care includes regular brushing and flossing, proper diet and periodic dental check-ups.

With the use of modern techniques, root canal therapy typically involves little or no discomfort. Often there is pain before treatment and endodontic therapy provides relief.

Cleaning the root canals may cause some slight tenderness but usually over-the-counter pain killers alleviate the discomfort. If pain persists or if you experience severe pain, call your dentist.

The expense of an endodontic procedure varies depending on how severe the problem is and the type of tooth. Molars with two or three canals are more difficult to treat and the fee will therefore be more. Endodontic treatment is usually more economical in the long term than any other alternative treatment.

The alternative to endodontic treatment is extraction of the tooth. Loss of a tooth could create a functional problem such as chewing or an aesthetic problem. Restoring the lost tooth may involve the provision of a prosthetic replacement such as a denture, bridge or a dental implant the costs of which are variable.

Occasionally a tooth cannot be saved. Endodontic treatment can be performed only if the root canals are accessible and can be adequately cleaned and sealed. The tooth must also have sufficient bone support. We only carry out treatment where we can give a good long term outlook.

Endodontic treatment can have success rate of up to 90% in general if carried out to a good standard allowing the tooth to remain in function. Problems can occur if the tooth develops decay or the restoration on the tooth fails, or on occasions despite good care the tooth may not heal as expected. Further endodontic treatment or surgery may be carried out if appropriate. A tooth that develops a crack can also be a cause of failure and may result in loss of the tooth.

Your tooth should be examined at an interval after treatment to make sure that it has properly healed.

If you have questions before or after your treatment, your dentist will be happy to talk to you.

Teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as long as natural teeth, however, in some cases the treatment can fail or symptoms can persist. This may happen shortly after the treatment has been performed or even years following the treatment. In these cases it may be possible to carry out the treatment again, a procedure called endodontic retreatment

Endodontic treatment can fail for a number of reasons: It was not possible to treat narrow or curved canals well enough or the canals were not fully cleaned during the initial procedure. The tooth may have additional complicated anatomy that was not found on the initial treatment. The final restoration was not placed quickly enough or the final restoration leaked due to a poor fit, fracture or recurrent decay around it
Retreatment is usually more complicated than initial root canal treatment as the tooth is normally fully restored with a permanent restoration. This can range from a simple restoration to a full coverage restoration such as a crown or as part of a bridge. In addition to this a post may have been placed inside the root prior to a final restoration being placed. This creates difficulty as access to the root canals is more difficult. Additionally the canals will have been filled with root filling material and hence this has to be removed before they can be instrumented and cleaned again. All of these obstructions make the process more complicated.

All dentists can carry out endodontic treatment but many prefer not to carry out retreatment procedures as this can be more challenging and may require additional equipment that may not be readily available.
Your dentist may opt to refer you to another practitioner who either has greater experience and training in the procedure or to a dedicated specialist endodontist for the procedure. A specialist endodontist is a practitioner who is registered and approved by the General Dental Council to carry out all forms of endodontic treatment. The endodontist will have more additional dental equipment that may facilitate the procedure.

The endodontist will discuss with you the treatment options for your tooth. The endodontic procedure will be explained to you as well as the costs for the treatment.
If you decide on retreatment the endodontist will gain access to the root canals of the tooth to remove the root filling and clean the canals again prior to refilling the canals. In many cases the restoration on the tooth will have to be removed, including complex restorations such as crowns and posts to allow the procedure to be carried out.
Retreated teeth can function for many years if the reasons for the initial failure can be overcome. Advances in technology have allowed retreatment to be carried out on complicate problems but like most medical and dental procedures difficulties can prevent some teeth from responding to the treatment. The endodontist can advise on the likely success of the procedure and difficulties prior to the procedure.
The cost of the retreatment is usually dependent on how complex the procedure might be but would normally cost more than the original root canal treatment.
Usually the alternatives would be removal of the tooth or endodontic surgery. Removal of the tooth would then leave a space that may or may not be acceptable functionally or aesthetically and perhaps would require a prosthetic replacement tooth in the form of a denture, bridge or implant. Endodontic surgery involves lifting the gum or gingival tissue after a small incision to allow access to the root tip that is the cause of the persistent problem. This root tip can then be treated and sealed. Endodontic surgery would allow the existing restoration to be retained, however retreating the canals is usually the first and best option. Your endodontist can advise on the particular options for your problem.
 

Referrals/Clinics

You refer by:

Secured Online form 

Email – info@billis-endodontics.co.uk 

Send Endodontic Referral Form to: 

Billis Endodontics, Gateway Dental, 73 Station Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9DY. 

Telephone or Text on 07826396852

Gateway Dental

01444 232188

Case Difficulty Assessment tool for Root Canal treatment.

This innovative software was devoloped at the QMUL and is now piloted exclusively by  Billis Endodontics for its first release.

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Online Referral Form