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Original poster

Angry, shattered brand new £500 dental splint

60 replies

Oucht · 26/05/2025 11:53

I had a years old splint to stop my smashing my teeth while I sleep.

My new dentist made a lovely new one £500. It started to get a bit loose after 5 days so I have an appt in a few weeks.

3 nights later, put it in before bed, pull it out in the morning and it’s shattered, broken right through. How the hell have I done it?

Dentist is gonna be peed off. I’m angry that it’s happened and can’t afford another £500.

OP posts:
CanadaNotAMum · 26/05/2025 21:27

Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:47

I wish I was assertive like so many of you.
My previous SCI from my last dentist was £500 too. I’m having to use that one now this one’s broken.
My dentist is very very confident. I feel a little intimidated even though he’s very nice too.

Is the dentist aware that’s is broken? If not, call or email them and say that it fell apart after 9 days of normal use and ask for an earlier appointment. And please don’t apologize to the dentist. There is no reason whatsoever. Listen to the others on this thread who have told you that you are the customer, you didn’t do anything wrong, and it is likely a problem with how it was made or fitted. These things happen, the dentist or lab should be the one making it right!

I’m you aren’t sure what to say, email them instead of calling. Let me know and I will be happy to write something that you can just copy and paste if that helps.

Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 15:45

Thank you for all helping. Just have to wait the 2 weeks to see him now.

OP posts:
dogcatkitten · 26/05/2025 15:19

Just say it broke when you were wearing it over night. If you don't feel confident confronting the dentist ring up and tell the receptionist and say you are going to need a replacement, they can relay the message to the dentist. As other's have said the dentist should be very apologetic, it really could have been dangerous if you had swallowed those small bits, it should be practically impossible for it to break in your mouth.

TheOccupier · 26/05/2025 15:11

@GreatFinch thank you so much for your very helpful post and the benefit of your expert advice!

TryForSpring · 26/05/2025 15:07

CantStopMoving · 26/05/2025 15:00

remember most of the work went into the scans and getting the fit right. The actual retainer would have cost very little so it won’t cost them much to make another.

just go in and say I’m terribly sorry but the one you gave me is faulty as it broke. Can you investigate and provide me with another? Don’t even suggest you will pay for it.

Edited

No need for OP to say she's "terribly sorry". She didn't bung it in the microwave or reverse a car over it.

TryForSpring · 26/05/2025 15:04

And you paid for those appointments. The breakage is more likely to piss you off than the professional just doing his job. His main concern should be was it fit for purpose or was there an error in its production?

WearyAuldWumman · 26/05/2025 15:04

Oucht · 26/05/2025 13:52

Got an appointment in 2 weeks… made it after 5 days because the splint was getting loose.

Don’t know if it being loose on that side was part of the problem?

Urgh, he’s gonna think I’m an adiot for managing to break something and not having a clue how I’ve done it!!

He shouldn’t. My implant crown broke within the first few months and was replaced at the dentist’s cost. (The titanium root was fine.)

CantStopMoving · 26/05/2025 15:00

remember most of the work went into the scans and getting the fit right. The actual retainer would have cost very little so it won’t cost them much to make another.

just go in and say I’m terribly sorry but the one you gave me is faulty as it broke. Can you investigate and provide me with another? Don’t even suggest you will pay for it.

Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:58

TryForSpring · 26/05/2025 14:53

Dentist is gonna be peed off.

Urgh, he’s gonna think I’m an adiot for managing to break something and not having a clue how I’ve done it!!

This is a rather odd reaction. Why would the dentist be pissed off with you?

It took multiple appointments with scans and fittings to get it all set right and then it goes and breaks on me.

OP posts:
TryForSpring · 26/05/2025 14:53

Dentist is gonna be peed off.

Urgh, he’s gonna think I’m an adiot for managing to break something and not having a clue how I’ve done it!!

This is a rather odd reaction. Why would the dentist be pissed off with you?

Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:47

I wish I was assertive like so many of you.
My previous SCI from my last dentist was £500 too. I’m having to use that one now this one’s broken.
My dentist is very very confident. I feel a little intimidated even though he’s very nice too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:42

Pennyssmartwatch · 26/05/2025 14:11

That doesn't sound like a good idea tbh, your teeth should be touching it and free to move. Specialists made my splint over a couple of months so I got a lot of information about how it should work and fit against the teeth. Your dentist should still be able to refer you to a dental hospital. I would ask as they sound awful.

Show quote history

It’s a Sleep Clench Inhibitor. It’s fits over all my top teeth but is block at the 2 front teeth which keeps all other teeth apart. They’re quite common. I’ve had them before.

OP posts:
DongDingBell · 26/05/2025 14:26

You don't know how you did it, because you didn't break it. It was faulty before it even reached you. Imagine what could have happened if you'd swallowed that small chunk in your sleep. The absolute minimium should be a replacement - at no cost to you.

CantStopMoving · 26/05/2025 14:16

Why are you the idiot? They made you something expensive, and it broke. Don’t going there saying you did anything wrong. You go in the saying they made you a defective product

ThierryHwasthebest · 26/05/2025 14:15

I have a splint that goes over my bottom teeth. It was only £190 at the dentist and it fits over all my teeth to stop grinding, I would expect it to last several years.
I think your dentist needs to replace for free.

LittleMissNumber · 26/05/2025 14:13

I can't understand why you aren't the cross one, unless you know you did something wrong? If not then this is absolutely on the dentist and they should be very apologetic.

Pennyssmartwatch · 26/05/2025 14:11

Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:06

I couldn’t bite on it.. it has a block on the front 2 teeth to keep all other teeth apart so nothing touches that bit.

Dentist is private. Don’t have an nhs one.

Show quote history

That doesn't sound like a good idea tbh, your teeth should be touching it and free to move. Specialists made my splint over a couple of months so I got a lot of information about how it should work and fit against the teeth. Your dentist should still be able to refer you to a dental hospital. I would ask as they sound awful.

Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:06

Pennyssmartwatch · 26/05/2025 14:04

Oh they were loose too, when I bit down in my sleep they just cracked. My dentist was annoyed but it wasn't my fault!

I couldn’t bite on it.. it has a block on the front 2 teeth to keep all other teeth apart so nothing touches that bit.

Dentist is private. Don’t have an nhs one.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 14:05

That’s if I get another one. He’s a very good dentist. I feel guilty that I’ve managed to break it even though I don’t know how I’ve done it.

Concerned I’ll be left without one.

Im just clumsy thanks to brain medication I’m on for nerve issues so usually when something breaks it’s my fault.

OP posts:
Pennyssmartwatch · 26/05/2025 14:04

Oh they were loose too, when I bit down in my sleep they just cracked. My dentist was annoyed but it wasn't my fault!

Pennyssmartwatch · 26/05/2025 14:03

It could well be your dentist's fault. I broke my first 2 splints on the first night. The dentist didn't fit them properly. I got sent to a dental hospital who made me one and spent AGES fitting it and it was fine. I could do with a new one now because it's been 20 years and I've chewed through a bit of it.

Also the dental hospital one was free!

Flossflower · 26/05/2025 14:02

i would expect it to replaced for free. My dentist always tells me my dental work is guaranteed for a year. Maybe the the materials were defective.

SnoopDougyDoug · 26/05/2025 13:58

Oucht · 26/05/2025 13:52

Got an appointment in 2 weeks… made it after 5 days because the splint was getting loose.

Don’t know if it being loose on that side was part of the problem?

Urgh, he’s gonna think I’m an adiot for managing to break something and not having a clue how I’ve done it!!

Surely he should be curious as to how it could have broken so easily, and apologetic that you now have to wait for another one? You were using it as directed and it broke, in your mouth by the sound of it. You could have been hurt. Why on earth aren't you cross that an expensive piece of equipment was made so shoddily? Why are you worrying about the dentist being angry with you - you should be the cross one!

Original poster
Oucht · 26/05/2025 13:52

Got an appointment in 2 weeks… made it after 5 days because the splint was getting loose.

Don’t know if it being loose on that side was part of the problem?

Urgh, he’s gonna think I’m an adiot for managing to break something and not having a clue how I’ve done it!!

OP posts:
Washinglinewench29 · 26/05/2025 13:42

Definitely go back to dentist, definitely not fit for purpose xx