Dental implants - where can I find a really, really good dentist?

[dotnet]

I'm in East Anglia. I had a terrible dentist who supposedly repaired two teeth - he actually ended up destroying them.

I was refunded £219 today for the course of 'treatment' which destroyed the teeth. I'll put it towards two dental implants. Or a crown and an implant, if I am very lucky.

Within reason, I don't mind where I go for the treatment. Even London, Essex, Cambs. I'd go further, to find a dentist who is a safe pair of hands. I'm really scared now.

Does anyone reading this have a dental implant? How long have you had it for? How much did the work cost? How experienced at implants work is your dentist?

There are some really awful dentists out there, as I know to my cost...

But there ARE some excellent ones too, surely?

If you would follow your dentist to the ends of the earth, - please spare a moment to advise a toothless old crone.

Thankyou very very much.

[Matildathecat]

I'm wanting for an implant following extraction. I was advised to ask about the number of procedures the implantologist has done and the success and failure rate. My dentist has done several hundred and described in some detail the failures and their outcomes. He also wrote a detailed plan of care in a letter outlining the cost.

I hope you find someone soon. Surely Cambridge must have some good dentists?

[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle]

I had an implant done by Dental Care Plus in London although they do have other locations as well. I was very happy with them and they were very good with my dental phobia. I had a tooth extracted and then an implant put in its place.

[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle]

I didn't answer your questions - sorry! it cost £1350, had it 18 months, took ages... I think it was three months between tooth extraction and implant and then two or three months before they attached the crown.

[dotnet]

Thanks for info, Matildathecat and TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle. TMNT - are you saying your implant came out or failed after 18 months? In which case you paid the equivalent of about £90/month while the implant lasted? I do hope not....

[FeelingOutnumbered]

I had an implant done at Devonshire House dentist in Cambridge (near Addenbrookes) it was over 10 years ago now, but I wouldn't hesitate to go back to them if necessary as they seemed really good.

[Matildathecat]

dot, the implant is done in three stages, first the actual extraction, second after about three months the post is implanted into the gum, thirdly the crown or 'tooth' is fixed to the post. The gaps allow for the bone to heal I believe. I am still waiting for my post to be done. In the interim I was also advised to have a one tooth denture to stop the surrounding teeth drifting. All in, mine is costing £2.5k. Gulp. I think teenage meant 18months ago though I am happy to stand corrected.

[dotnet]

Hi FeelingOutnumbered and Matildathecat - Feeling - I was thinking on the way home from town just now, I probably should take myself over to Cambridge. I think the university has a dental school, and I can't help thinking Cambridge dentists are more likely than not, to be good. I'll ring Devonshire House and get a quote. Thankyou.
Matilda - yes, gulp and double gulp! I wouldn't pay that much, I just wouldn't. Thanks for telling me how it all works, though.
Another thing I'm thinking is... a couple of years ago at some exhibition or other at Olympia, I picked up a couple of cosmetic dentistry leaflets about dentists from Hungary or maybe it was the Czech Republic... people could either go to Budapest or Prague and get their implants done there for about 60% of the usual UK price; or they could get them done by Hungarian/Czech dentists in London who are in on the same deal, but in this case the price is more like 75% of the usual UK price.

I'll have to find the leaflets and think about this, as well. I'm getting myself in such a state worrying about this mess... I perhaps should have gone to a no win no fee solicitor who specialises in medical & dental cockups... if I had, I'd perhaps have been compensated sufficiently to pay for most of the cost of these expensive treatments.

[dotnet]

That's weird... I did a reply but it has disappeared. Maybe I didn't click 'Post Message'. Shows what a state I'm in!

Thanks for the info, FeelingOutnumbered and Matildathecat.

Feeling...I'll give Devonshire House in Cambridge a ring and find out what they charge. Actually, on the way home from town just now I started thinking maybe I should check Cambridge out. What with the university having a dental school (I think) it's likely that Cambridge has a lot of good dentists.

Matilda - that price, gulp and double gulp - I wouldn't pay it, I just wouldn't. But thank you for telling me how the procedure works, it's good to know.

Another thing I'm thinking of... a couple of years ago at Olympia I went to some exhibition or other where I picked up leaflets about dental implant treatments in Budapest and Prague. Much much cheaper than the UK. But these Budapest/Prague dentists also come to London, where they do implant work at about 75% of the usual UK cost I think. I'll have to research that; it might be a good idea, esp as I have two destroyed teeth which need sorting.

[idlevice]

Have a look at the Appledore Clinic, Binfield. This is miles from you but the main dentist, Teresa, could probably recommend someone nearer to you. She did a large amount of work for me, including an implant on a tooth I'd had issues with for years & been messed about with by two other dentists. It was costly but she was really good, & had been on lots of training courses & conferences to update her knowledge. I got the impression that there is a network of professional dentists that can approach each other for advice & exchange information so she may well know of someone that would be suitable for you. It also lists her credentials on the website so you could check whoever you end up with is affiliated to the same professional bodies.

[Matildathecat]

The trouble with going down the legal route is that it is extremely difficult to prove negligence and causation. By chance I am currently engaged in litigation over medical negligence. We are two years in and still have a long way to go. Funnily enough my lawyer is in Cambridge though I am in London.

[dotnet]

Thanks idlevice and Matildathecat... Appledore - yes, I'll put it on my list for talking with. Good, it all helps. Matilda yes - well, I did fleetingly think about the legal thing but really didn't fancy it, even though there'll be a massive disparity between the £214 I was refunded without too much difficulty and the £2,000-ish I might need in order to get my mouth put right. I suppose when I've finally got my teeth sorted I can forget all about the money that bad dentist cost me. Worse things happen at sea.

[dotnet]

... I hope the medical negligence thing you're pursuing works out Matilda.

[higgle]

I had two done at the Brighton Implant Centre. They do very little work other than implants and are therefore very good and less expensive. They seem to have very good patient feedback. I had very little discomfort and my teeth look great now.

[TeenageMutantNinjaTurtle]

yes yes!! 18 months ago! sorry I really wasn't clear.

I've had it in now for 18mo with no problems.

[dotnet]

Thanks higgle. Another one for the list. I appreciate the info.

I sent an email off today to a Dental School where the students work on patients (closely supervised, I hasten to add.) I'm not very hopeful though. Even if one of my two ruined teeth is salvageable via a crown, I'm guessing it would be too difficult a job for a student to be presented with - unless the supervising dentist decides to task the very best student in the group with a mega-challenge!

[Fullsteamahead]

I had an implant done by John Cuccio. He, I believe, is one of the best in the industry having done his first implant back in 1974!!! I had it done in Edinburgh but I think he also works in London.

www.adi.org.uk/profession/pastevents/forum11/speakers/john_cuccio.htm

[dotnet]

Thanks Fullsteamahead. MN is great for helping people work out their options, it's so nice that other MNers chip in with ideas.
First thing I'm going to do now is - I've discovered NHS Choices and found a local dentist on there who DOES appear to be good. He's squeezing me in for a Thursday 7pm appointment. He knows my tale of woe and that I'll settle for his opinion and advice. If he agrees my two ruined teeth really are unsalvageable... I'll trust his judgement. He doesn't do implants himself (I think).
So... after seeing him (I feel MUCH less despondent now) - I can make a proper decision about what to do next. I'm not at all worried about the procedure of getting an implant done if need be, having read the MN advice about this.

[Matildathecat]

dot, can I just add that the temporary denture I have is very discreet and I barely notice it so is a cheaper and viable alternative. The trouble with leaving a gap is that the surrounding teeth wander leaving unsightly gaps.

[StillinShockAhhhhhhh]

Hi I'm a dentist and we currently refer all of our patients to the marylebone implant centre in Westminster and have done for the last two years. So far all of the work I have seen them
Carry out has been outstanding x I think I have their website address if that's of any use? The implantologist my patients normal see is Francisco marques dos santos x I think they offer a free consultation but they do insist on having a CT scan so they can give you an accurate quote check for nerve positions etc

[dotnet]

Hi Matildathecat and StillinShockAhhhhh. Don't like the idea of my teeth wandering around, Matilda - spooky! But actually I've made up my mind that I definitely shall have implants if I really must. Still - by all means let me know the website of the Marylebone people - thanks. At the mo I'm thinking the Brighton Centre is the front runner if I do have an implant (or two.)

[Chasingsquirrels]

I don't have personal experience (I know of them via personal connections) but Devonshire House in Cambridge are meant to be very good. They have been doing implants for a long time and as I understand it they lead the way in the region when they started doing them.

[StillinShockAhhhhhhh]

www.maryleboneimplantcentre.co.uk

There's the web address they are literally based on the road parallel to Harley street

[dotnet]

Thanks a lot, Chasingsquirrels and StillinShockAhhhhhh. They will go on my list! I'm seeing a good (I think) local dentist tomorrow for a reliable verdict on the extent of the damage. If he can save one tooth by crowning, fantastic, as I can pay for an implant for the other without too much worry. I'll post and let you know. I'm pleased and touched and quite surprised that so many people are sharing my pain!

[dotnet]

I'm in a rush at the mo, but there have been developments. Will do a post later today I hope...

[dotnet]

Hello y'all - just to let you know what's going on now.
I discovered the fab website NHS Choices and hunted through it, looking for dental practices near me which are well reviewed.
I found one in the town centre where all the reviews for 2013 and 2014 were excellent. One man named the dentist who'd done a brilliant job on his teeth.
I rang the practice and was told I'd be able to register, but warned that I couldn't see the dentist New Year.
I chanced my arm and wrote an account of my horrible experience, asking in the letter if there was any chance at all of my being able to see the dentist - just for a good professional opinion - soon? I took the letter round by hand on the day the dentist works until 8pm.
Lo and behold, he was at the computer at reception. I started explaining my problem, thinking he might be the receptionist.
He listened to me, read my letter and said he'd squeeze me in the following week on his late night.
I've now been to see him. Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Stellenbosch University, S.A.
Looking at my teeth, he did a bit of muttering like 'I don't know where he learned his dentistry' and mentioned three different things which had been done wrong.
At my request he put my (twice failed) inlay back - I wanted it in the hope it might survive through Christmas, so I can chew.
He says he CAN do a crown on the inlay tooth. The other, he says, has a 50/50 chance if he builds it up with a post.
I am so relieved that I now really do believe I've found a dentist I can trust and who'll be competent.
All the implant info you've given, though, I'll keep for reference. It is quite likely that the worse-destroyed tooth will need replacing at some point.
So... I'm glad I looked for a second opinion. Finding a good dentist shouldn't be such a nightmare. I can't help thinking somehow or other a lot of bad ones - perhaps people who have paid to graduate overseas - are practising here.