Dentist won't do crowns on the NHS because he says they are no good.

[spenditwisely]

He said that he is a specialist in bridges and crowns and doesn't use NHS standard crowns because they wouldn't last and he has a reputation to uphold. Is this a genuine claim on his part?

He' quoted £2400 for four crowns, two root canals and one tooth removal. He will only do the cleaning, xrays and advice for free.

Or would I be better to get implants and a holiday in Eastern Europe?

I wonder how long crowns last. I had one done when I was 18 and I'm 40 now its still going strong and dentist happy on last check up

I had a white crown fitted a few months ago by an NHS dentist. There was no suggestion at all that this should be done privately. I paid the standard fee of £219 and he told me it should last a lifetime. My other white NHS crown is about 18 years old and it's still fine

I would think about reporting this dentist if I was the OP. Or making some sort of enquiry with his professional body

dh's crown score
3 stayed in so far (4 years on)
2 fallen out

Dentist. Marking my place to rtft and reply later. Brb.

(All NHS ones)

I had a crown just last week, and it was on the NHS and white - porcelain bonded to zirconia I think he said. So they are definitely available, not only from private dentists. I'm hoping that it will last a while, though I'm still a bit wary of biting and chewing on it!

The only difference between NHS and private crowns is the material they are made of. The problem lies with provision of multiple crowns. An NHS dentist receives the same fee for one crown as he/she does for 6 crowns. Providing more than one crown would ultimately lead to bankruptcy.
This system is the result of over prescription ( big time) in the 70s, 80s, and 90s which led the government to cap dentists fees for a course of treatment.
If an NHS crown falls off it would not be due to it being an NHS crown but the result of poor dentistry.

Smileandnod Zirconia are brilliant crowns and are top end private usually but can be provided under NHS as a single crown since the NHS fee will more than adequately cover the cost. You obviously have a very ethical dentist. I usually use Zirconia or Emax on front teeth since they are so much better than metal crowns cosmetically and like your dentist I take pride in my work and reputation.

I have both my front teeth crowned - due to being accident prone as a child.

All my dental work has been carried out by NHS dentists. I have probably changed one of them about 4 times in 30 years - once due to have root canal and changing to a post crown. After a few years my gums tend to recede a little too, so I have the crowns replaced. At regular NHS prices.

I have never had one fall out or chip or break - touch wood - so I can't believe that the private ones are any better quality strength wise. They may take a little more time making sure that they are the right shade/shape/fit perhaps - but other than that no.

I used to work as a dental nurse many, many years ago - so have a little insight into how things work (Or used to )

This thread is quite old? I'm on the new mobile site so not sure but I reckon OP may have sorted this by now.

Charliebo's question is new and has restarted the thread

My dh had a private crown and it fell out over and over again, I asked him to change to my dentist and my nhs ones have been fine, they did him an nhs crown and it looks 10 times better and has given him no problems at all.

Ah yes I see it now.

Crowns falling out is to do with the technical competency of the dentist preparing the tooth usually. Unless you get decay under them, they don't usually fall out due to the shape that we make the underlying tooth.

Whether they are provided on the NHS is slightly ambiguous but if the reason you want a white one is purely vanity then surely you should pay extra? If it's a genuine health concern then maybe the NHS should provide it. As a general rule, white crowns are worse for the health of your teeth so I rarely do them on back teeth because they are far more destructive.

I think in this instance the dentist is right. Porcelain crowns are better and these are not available on the NHS only composite (white) which don't last long or amalgam (the metal ones).

Does appear to be a conflict of interest between dentists that offer private & NHS care. I've had 2 crowns fitted by two different NHS (/private) dentists. One was white and I've had no problems. The other was silver (though they offered to do a white one privately) but I've had few problems. But both were NHS costs.
www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/how-do-i-complain-about-my-dental-treatment/ - you might find this useful if you think your dentist is pushing private care onto you.

I have a porcelain crown which is over 30,nearer to 40 years old. Even then he had to get permission from the NHS to do it.