NHS root canal/crown has failed after 8 months and now having to pay hand 3 again for a bridge, is this right?

[Weddi]

Had a root canal and crown fitted around 8 months ago with my NHS dentist, paid band 3. The root canal has now failed, got infected and caused a huge abscess on NYE which had to be drained in A&E because my whole face ballooned up to my eye and I was in the worst agony ever.

Went to my dentist as soon as I could get an appointment and he said the crown needs removing, natural tooth extracting and a bridge fitting. He wants to charge band 3 again, is this right? I thought band 3 treatment such as a crown would come with some sort of guarantee given the cost…

Yes that's correct it'll be band 3.

Even though I paid band 3 less than a year ago for the same tooth? I figured something like a crown would have a guarantee for a year at least but it’s failed so seems unfair I have to pay band 3 again.

Of course there's no guarantee! They can't know how your body's going to react. It's unfortunate, but there you are. You are lucky to have an NHS dentist by the way.

I don’t think they can guarantee a crown for a certain amount of time. I had mine done privately and a year later have had to have it pulled. They didn’t make any guarantees and said at the time I may need root canal or extraction in the future.

Ahh ok, I didn’t realise. I read that most crowns last 5-10 years when I chose to have one fitted so figured that would be the case here.

I had a crown done privately and they were very clear that there was a risk of failure.

I think the crown itself can last that long the problem is what’s going on with the root underneath. My crown cost me £600 and was beautifully done was very sad to see it pulled out!!

This is why I haven't had mine done. No nhs dentist, and no money. I could put it on my credit card but then what if it fails? I coukdnt afford to do it again and can't afford to lose money.

I think crowns have a 12 month guarantee? www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

He never said a thing about failure so honestly had no idea. If I’d known there was a fairly high risk it would fail I’d probably have just opted for extraction and a bridge to begin with because the agony of an abscess is worse than childbirth.

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/dental-costs/understanding-nhs-dental-charges/

another link suggesting if a crown or bridge done on nhs fails within 12 months they will remedy it as part of the course of treatment you’ve already paid for. I’d definitely question the dentist further.

I just read this part Treatments provided under this guarantee must be similar or related to the original treatment, but they do not have to be like for like. and I’m thinking it’s definitely related to the original treatment and I guess is similar? I’ll call them up tomorrow to query it.

The crown hasn't failed though, you've developed an abscess.

That means the crown isn't suitable anymore. It failing would be it falling out or breaking.