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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a filling should have lasted more than 3 weeks

12 replies

quittinaeete · 21/03/2019 13:55

I had two small fillings done, paid privately and was 260. One has just partly fallen out, this really isn't acceptable is it? I haven't done anything crazy and because it was so soon have been pretty careful over last few weeks.

Can't see a guarantee on their site but should I ask them to do it again for no fee?

OP posts:
SheisMammyof2 · 21/03/2019 13:56

Definitely! Fillings should last years not weeks.

AdvancedAvoider · 21/03/2019 14:00

Yes of course you should. My dentist told me that mine was guaranteed when I had it done and any problems go straight back so they could fix it, free of charge.

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 21/03/2019 14:01

My dentist (also private) has a 12 month guarantee for fillings, I had to have one redone last year (was just within 12 months) and it was done for free.

I didn't know anything about the guarantee (and have so many fillings I wouldn't know if it was the same one or not anyway) the dentist just checked and did it. So yes, I would definitely ask Smile

katseyes7 · 21/03/2019 14:03

Damn right it should! l had a back tooth taken out two weeks ago that had a 40 year old filling in it!

Maryann1975 · 21/03/2019 14:09

Of course it should last more than 3 weeks, but I have had massive problems with one of my teeth and it’s filling. Last year I must have had to do have it redone at least 5 times as it kept falling out. I don’t think It’s the dentist as my other ones are all fine and my family all use the same dentist and never have any issues, but I reckon the tooth is just knackered.

Phone them up and ask what they are going to do about it. If you bought anything else it would have some kind of warranty/guarantee on it, I can’t see why a filling would not have that tbh.

safariboot · 21/03/2019 14:18

Yes, the dentist should redo it without charge. A properly done filling will last years, even decades.

If the dentist tries to blame you for their mistake (and charge you again), don't keep being their patient.

winterisstillcoming · 21/03/2019 14:23

Dentist here. Of course it should be sorted free of charge. Just call them and explain what happened and make sure when you book yourself in, you tell them it's the one that the dentist did 3 weeks ago and confirm there will be no charge.

Original poster
quittinaeete · 21/03/2019 14:28

Thanks, I just want to cry. Everything always goes wrong at once. The tooth is the straw.

It's not totally out but can feel a rough edge so definitely think part of it's out. Was hoping it would last for 10 years without having to worry about it. Coming out so soon is a real worry, I was going to have more work done with the dentist but now think maybe I should find another

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Original poster
quittinaeete · 21/03/2019 18:14

They've said they will have to look at it before deciding if they will repair it for free.

Is this normal? 😔

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 21/03/2019 18:17

My dentist is great at fixing things if they are not right. I had a crown fitted and it fell out within a few weeks. They sorted it quickly and with no quibble.

TeacupDrama · 21/03/2019 18:33

I was an NHS dentist in Scotland NHS treatment is guaranteed a year I would expect a private filling to be similar at least, most fillings last much much longer
the only exceptions would be unless against dentist's advice, ie I said you needed a crown but you said can't you refill it and I explained well I could but it's really too big for a filling but if I fill it , it will not be guaranteed as it is not recommended

The filling may have been a tiny fraction high on the bite and you have just broken a small edge, the mouth can detect 8% of 1mm so a tiny almost not visible amount ( like if you get a tiny piece of paper stuck it feels like a huge wedge (normal paper is 0.1mm thick and if you put a bit between your teeth on one side you can feel instantly that it alters the bite and the teeth on other side no longer meet properly.

fillings are not guaranteed against trauma so if it breaks on a nut in your muesli or you fall on your face

I think if a white filling has fractured without trauma in 3 weeks it may not have quite bonded properly, it happens to everyone occasionally maybe a bit of undetected moisture before final seal stops the cure of material it could happen to any dentist but a decent dentist will just replace it free

however I remember someone coming in who had fractured their new crown, wanted it replaced for free I asked how it happened , they were boxing without a mouthguard and got punched ( it was obviously trauma as half the original root had fractured too) so no in that case it was not replaced free

Original poster
quittinaeete · 21/03/2019 21:28

Oh that's reassuring to know thanks.

I've been so anxious about dental work that's needed doing for a while. Now the first treatment I've had failed so soon it's really upset me. Hopefully it's just a little mistake and they'll fix and it'll last.

Will the dentist be pissed off and rush it if I want it for free?

I just really want what I paid for at the end of the day, it's not like I want to go back. No trauma or anything so no reason why it should have fallen out

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