Confused by my dentist

[AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy]

AIBU to want to seek a second opinion within the practice to clarify what my new dentist is on about? I don’t want to undermine anyone or cause bad feeling (especially as I’m scared to death of dentists!) but...

Twelve months ago, my old dentist said he wanted to replace a crown because it had a crack down the back of it and might go at any time. It was tender at times and the gum was always swelling. I wasn’t thrilled but agreed and I booked in. Then, he left the practice. Months later, I went to meet my new dentist who said “we will do all six crowns on Denplan at £1000) as there are issues besides the cracked one”. However, first I needed to sort out an infection I had in that long suffering tooth. So, six months went by and I saw the new dentist again who said he’d made a mistake and unfortunately I’d need to pay full price for all crowns (£6k) as it was all cosmetic work and not really necessary. I couldn’t afford it so agreed to have some fillings of the damaged crowns. Within one week they’d fallen out whilst flossing. I went back and he said “well, there’s nothing else I can offer because Denplan won’t cover the cost of cosmetic work” 😐. I’m now very confused.

I originally had good teeth but had crowns due to Tetracycline treatment as a child. My own teeth we very soft and chipped easily and I wore braces from 9 to 23. Each time the braces were removed, my own teeth “moved again” so, I was advised to have crowns. This was in the early 80’s so “cosmetic” dentistry wasn’t a norm then. I was heartbroken as I didn’t want “false teeth”.

AIBU? Should I just leave it?

I'd say no don't leave it.you clearly have issues with tenderness/swelling and infection, so clearly not cosmetic. Also your teeth are weak anyway from medication.

Dentists are only human, but they don't make mistakes like that - saying it's a clinical need one visit and cosmetic the next.

Wow. I'm a dental nurse and he sounds utterly incompetent!!! And no idea how denplan works clearly! I would phone the practice and ask to speak to the practice manager first. Also did they fall out because they were temporary crowns? Oh my gosh braces from 9-23!!! Teeth move without retainers! So shocked by this!

Also £6k on 6 crowns? I was eyeing up crown costs and Emax crowns (supposedly the absolute best) can be had for £700 a crown - but whilst these looks most like real teeth, they can't be used on the back teeth due to chewing forces, so you go the step down -"gold standard" which is gold metal covered with porcelain for £600 a crown

Sorry, didn’t explain it too well....

He put fillings ABOVE three of my existing crowns as after 35 yrs+ there’s been some recession of gums and despite everything I’ve done (3 monthly visits to hygienist and twice yearly visits to dentist) there’s a gap between gum and crown. These crowns have been in there a LONG time! But no, no crowns dropping out.

I was originally fully prepared to have one crown done but HE talked me into having all replaced at the same time as he said it’d be a) a better match than having them done in dribs and drabs and b) one one’s replaced they all tend to start “going”. It was such a big deal for me (as I say, I’m totally afraid of anything to do with teeth) that I said I’d give it some thought. I remember him saying that he really would advise having them all done.

Worryingly (and this was just because he was very busy that day) the last time I was there, after the fillings fell out, he kept calling me by the wrong name. When I left the surgery, he came into the waiting room and call my name again and I had to say “you’ve just seen me!”

Ummm, what would Denplan advise then?

I think it might be good to see the Practice Manager but I’m afraid she’ll inform the dentist and he’ll have it in for me! When I first had my original crowns done, it was 1982. It was utterly, excruciatingly painful and I had to beg for some gum numbing. Now, my fear is great 😐

I would think about changing dentists.

Have spoken with the Practice Manager. She suggested a second opinion with the senior dentist (I guess it’s his surgery) and to go from there.

I hope my swollen gum is still there by next Monday.

Any other advice? Thanks 😊

I had a dentist do a root canal in the wrong tooth so I never trust them any more.
Make sure you get a proper explanation of what they think needs doing and if you aren't satisfied with the explanation I'd consider going elsewhere.

Refuse to see him any more. They need to know how many mistakes he's making.

I just feel that after being talked into a treatment plan, reassured it would be a price I could afford and waiting some 12 months to have it done, I now find that none of it is “necessary” and all cosmetic. I was made to feel that I’d kind of brought it all up because I wanted new teeth.

I’ve been with the surgery for many years and am loath to move. Will see what’s suggested next week.

If you've been there many years they will know you're not a nuisance- you seeing the senior dentist to me sounds like you're not the first person to complain. Try and take pictures and write everything down so you know what to say in advance. Good luck

I would talk with the senior dentist and go from there. There's no harm in getting a second opinion, especially when your talking about that amount of money and your body.

It sounds to me like one crown needs replacing, and that tooth sorting depending on what type of infection and the dentist thought he would replace the rest to match.

With Denplan you pay the lab fee for your work (the original fee) but cosmetic work wouldn't be included no. What's cosmetic and what's clinical need can be a fine line however if the crowns are damaged you could justify replacing them and I wouldn't say that was cosmetic. Although it does of course depend. If it's just gum recession that's not really necessary to replace unless there's decay. Really the dentist should be able to make the decision as to what's cosmetic, I'm assuming a situation where he's new to Denplan and has said he could do the work but has spoken to another colleague whose said no that's cosmetic.

It might be they suggest getting the work done with another dentist in the practice, after seeking their opinion as to what needs doing. That way you don't have to leave the practice but can have a dentist you trust. That's probably what I would do

DishRanAway, I agree. Three of the crowns would be a cosmetic “want” and not need (at the moment). However, I wasn’t the one who asked to have them all replaced. He had to talk me round and gave me several reasons for the “doing them all together” scenario. I made it clear that that was a definite “no” for me, in financial terms. But, he insisted it would be Denplan. Then changed his mind.

I’m sat here this evening with a swollen gum line over two teeth that I’m dreading having to floss before bed and a filling free mess on another tooth with a crack down the back of it, wondering whether it’ll drop off any day.

I think I will ask if there’s any less expensive alternative. I’d even be prepared to try the fillings again but he dismissed that. I’m really afraid that in doing one or two teeth, the remainder (being very old) will be weakened and I’ll spend the next few years having them done one by one (a possibility he said may be quite likely).

Find an NHS dentist. The maximum you will need to pay is about £260 currently for any essential work. My DH just had loads of work done, including full top denture & partial bottom, all for the £260. It was tricky to find an NHS dentist & its half hour away from home, but worth it!

Hello! I used to work for Denplan. :) They have highly trained complaint handlers with clinical experience - it might be worth giving them a call and explaining that you're not at the stage of making a complaint (yet!) but you're seeking a second opinion and would like some advice. Customer Services would also be able to talk you through what is and isn't covered under your policy. I also think they'd want to know about the mix up as it sounds like he could do with some clearer training on what Denplan does and doesn't cover as imo he's misinformed you quite a bit there.

That's why I think visiting another dentist in the practice is a good idea, getting their opinion and i think getting them to do the work.

What is your ideal scenario? Do you want all 6 crowns replaced, or do you want the 3 you feel need doing? Or would you rather not replace any? Ignore the money for the minute. What are the problems you want to solve? Go in with an idea of what you want, a list of the things that are bothering you with your teeth and a list of questions if you have any to ask. Ask them about cheaper crown options as well, ask them to basically give you the options and a break down of costs. There should be more options than 6 crowns for 6k or nothing.

What's happened to your gums around the two crowns as well, is that to do with the fillings he put in? Or is that the crowns themselves? Tbh you don't need to replace them all at once, your crowns shouldnt start failing once you replace one. There's no reason replacing one crown weakens the others unless they are connected or there's any bridge work.

Replacing them all would give a good cosmetic result, and it may be you have other reasons the dentist wanted to replace them all, if you have ground them down for example or have tooth wear but there's no flat out reason for replacing all crowns in your mouth.

Were the fillings cosmetic or because there was decay there? Is it because you have some root showing? It's very hard to give your proper advice obviously without seeing your mouth and I can't really say what the dentist was doing or why they have done what they've done so I hope that the other dentist in the practice can help you and sort it all out.

Thanks for the replies.

The above crown fillings were done because over the 30 or so years, there’s been some gum recession. I’m only conscious of it when I smile but I have perfected a lopsided smile to cover this. Obviously I’m not a big selfie enthusiast!

I would like the lot doing, to be honest. Though I was initially aghast when he said that’s what he advised, over the months of waiting for my infection to heal, I came round to the idea that his “get it all over with at once” idea was a good one. Throwin the fact that he said he’d do it on Denplan and I was on board and prepared for it mentally. Then he withdrew the offer, said he’d made a mistake and I hav fillings. I think they should at least do the three that are damaged. Two with recession and constant swelling of gums and the one with the great crack down the back of it.

God, I’m fed up with it. Have taken a photo today of my swollen gums over two teeth just in case they “go down” by next week. He used the phrase “potential plaque trap” as another reason for having the fillings but as I say, they fell out within a week.

Saw the dentist today. He had a free slot.

My treatment plan now makes sense. I will have one damaged crown replaced and some “grinding work” on two others to allow fillings to stay “in”.

The senior partner will do the work.