Any dental experience please help...

[NOTthisOldchestnut]

To cut a long story short, I have had both my lower back molars crowned. One of them is great, and feels like a normal tooth. The other however hasn't felt quite right for months. I was very lucky to have the tooth saved, it is root canalled and basically half a tooth. The dentist had to expose some bone to help make it possible for a crown to be placed, as there was little base left.

I have been back and had the crown adjusted 3 times now. It feels a lot better, i'm eating okay, but I'm still more inclined to chew on the other side (maybe psychological, but it has been long enough now for this to stop). I feel there is a slight high point or groove missing. It looks different to the other side, bit maybe this to do with a difference in alignment on each side. I do have fillings, and alot of work done.
At my last appointment, the dentist seemed a little reluctant to readjust it, checked it with the paper, and shaved it a tiny bit, seemed alittle irritated, then said "it should be okay now." Previously he has always told me to come back if I felt it wasn't quite right.

I feel like he won't want to touch it again. Is it possible my bite looks okay on this side, and it isn't showing anything on the paper? Maybe this ie due to being a full bite issue because the crown on the other side could be slightly lower? I have no idea if this is even a thing.

I'm starting to feel embarrassed, and like the debtist thinks I'm making it up! He is a really good private dentist, and I've had a lot of treatment from him, which has all been fantastic. I'm also appreciate that he saved the tooth in the first place, when many dentists wanted to pull it.

Is this the result I can expect if I wish to keep a tooth? DH thinks I need to mention it again, but I'm scared he will tell me it's this or no tooth!

Any experience, or advice would be appreciated!

I have had so much bother with my teeth, spent a fortune, and this is a tiny niggle but it is bothering me. The crown looks great, alittle flatter than the other side, but it appears like a normal tooth, it is fitted well.

Do I get thr dentist to check my full bite?

Sorry, if it was supposed to be a short story!

Sorry about all of my typos, it won't let me edit 'again!' I'm looking after a tired little one.

Sounds like he thinks if he keeps adjusting it it might ruin the integrity of the crown. Ds had his back molars crowned as well and one was broken with a good sized piece missing. The crown on the broken tooth was a bit lower than the other, and I assumed it was because there was less tooth to hold the crown than the other side. I wouldn't want to overly grind a tooth in decent shape just to match the crummy one. Next time you go, tell him. If he doesn't want to recheck it, get a second opinion. It also helps to say it's painful ime. Not ideal i know, but otherwise they just brush you off. It may be easier in the long run to just have it pulled and a false tooth screwed in.

Thank you for your reply. The strange thing is, that it is actually the crowned tooth with less of a base, that is the higher of the two. When he exposed the bone, he said it was successful and that it went well at the time. Should he not replace the crown if it isn't right?
It makes me wonder if the lab has messed up when he has had to adjust it so much, and now is reluctant. There was actually a delay from the lab for it coming in originally, and they sped it up. The crown on the other side only needed one small adjustment and it was great.

I feel like it is a certain angle, maybe hard to tell when I'm lying down!

Has anybody been in a similar situation, and did having the full bite checked show the issue to your dentist?

You will have paid a vast amount of money for a crown with a private dentist so if you’re not satisfied with the results then you need to speak up.
Book in once more and request it to be adjusted, if you still feel it’s not correct then ask your dentist for an alternative solution such as returning the crown to the dental lab for further adjustments or even a replacement crown.
If that fails you should consider firstly- discussing the issue with the practice manager, they may offer second opinion regarding the crown from a different dentist at the same practice.

(As an ex dental nurse I can tell you if a patient mentioned taking their complaint to the dental complaints board their issue was usually dealt with swiftly, just note that complaints must be logged within 12 months of the treatment)

@Clemmie4 thank you. It has cost a fortune, the same dentist has carried out a lot of work on my teeth. He has a good reputation, and has saved the tooth in question. All of the work the dentist has done has been to a very high standard. I'm just a little unsure why he was suddenly a bit reluctant on my last visit. I feel awkward like I'm criticising his work, but I have always said in the nicest way possible.

I have an appointment coming up for a filling, so I will mention it again then. Do you think it is worth asking him to check my full bite? He has always just checked that area, and I am wondering if it maybe doesn't show, because of a slightly uneven bite maybe. I know with teeth something like mms can make a difference, it is probably so slight. I just hope all of the adjustments haven't affected the longevity of the crown.

the issue with mentioning issues at an appointment when in for a different treatment is the time restriction. Although I worked in an NHS surgery, when a patient would come in for say a check up but then want a clean at the same time it wasn’t always possible.
How about a call to the surgery to see if they apt could extended slightly, often the receptionist would come in our surgery and confirm with the dentist if that was ok, plus then your apt will be booked as filling & crown adjustment so the dentist will be aware.
We truthfully had patients that would be in a number of times for issues with bite following treatment.
You’ve paid probably close to the best part of £1000 for the work and should be satisfied with the outcome.