Can any dentists out there help me?

[Sallycinnamum]

My 11 yr old DS has a front tooth that has never come through although an x-ray has revealed it's there.

His dentist has referred him to our local hospital but twice now they have discharged him without him even seeing a consultant!

The final straw came tiday when I phoned the hospital to see where he is on the waiting list and once again he has been discharged!

I am at my wits end tbh. He is in discomfort and is very self conscious of his teeth.

I've complained to PALS today so I can get an explanation but what do I do next? His dentist hasn't got a clue what's going on and while I'm going to have to find another dentist nobody locally is taking on NHS patients.

I'm not even sure whether he needs orthodontic care or an operation to allow his tooth to come through!

Maybe he should have been referred to an orthodontist. My dd was referred to the orthodontist and it was the orthodontist that did a letter for the dentist to remove the baby tooth that would not come out by itself.

Is it a dental hospital he was referred to?

or does he have a gap where the tooth should have come in? Maybe I've misunderstood

Yep his baby tooth was removed so he has a gap there.

I wondered if he should have been referred to an orthodontist rather than the hospital but nobody seems to be able to give me any advice. Its so frustrating!

Is the adult tooth in the right place? Dd was referred to the dental hospital to get a tooth uncovered and to get a chain attached to bring it down from the gum. The referral took so long that the tooth came in by itself. How long since the tooth was removed?

he's only 11. Dont think dds tooth was removed until she was 13/14 years old and got braces soon after

The only reasons I can think of why you would be discharged is if your referral from the dentist had incorrect GP/address details for you as it all needs to match up , you had failed to respond to a letter inviting you to book an appointment (they only give a fortnight) or you'd missed an appointment.
Did the hospital give a reason for the discharges?

The first time it was because of an incomplete x-ray but no idea what's happening this time.

I've asked the consultant's secretary to call me tomorrow.

They've written no letters to me or the dentist itself so I'm completely in the dark.

I know it's a minor issue but because DS is now suffering mild pain I really feel something has to be done sooner rather than later.

Sorry I meant to say its s year since the tooth was removed.

Is it a canine tooth? They can take ages to come in. It does depend on if its heading for the gap and not going in the wrong direction though

When they phone, ask them why you've been discharged.
If they've not written to your dentist I'd suspect mismatched information ie NHS number not corresponding to your GP and address or they sent a letter you never received. If they won't put him back on the waiting list ask your dentist to do an expediated referral as he has pain.
If the tooth is unerupted unfortunately it's the hospital you need rather than the Orthodontist. Are there any other hospitals with Max Fac /Ortho departments near you|?

Following up dementedpixie's question is the matching tooth on the other side erupted?

Thanks all. Yes his left front tooth is through but it's the right one that hasn't, hence the gap.

I might be able to be referred to another hospital possibly so I'll investigate that option tomorrow.

Good luck.

He needs referral to an orthodontist, who then might refer onto the hospital. Is it the orthodontic department he is being referred into?

It sounds like the referral is being rejected, the dentist should have been notified. Theres no way a hospital would be able to discharge without either seeing you or you not turning up to an appointment.

An unerupted tooth wouldnt cause pain. Is it an incisor?