Failure of expensive dentistry - can I be refunded?

[dotnet]

Long story. I had 2 broken fillings repaired. They re-broke, then then quite quickly broke again. Now, those two teeth are sad remnants of what they once were! I've no confidence in the two dental practices I've tried.
After these two failed repairs, I forked out £240 I think it was, to have an 'onlay' on one of the badly broken teeth; I was told it would be a last step before crowning. But the onlay, too, failed (within its one year 'guarantee' period). I had it put back three weeks ago, and was charged £18 as an emergency. And now it has come out again - still within the 1 year guarantee.
The second repaired tooth has also failed - I'm to get that repaired again (re-filledfor a second time) under guarantee, on Monday.
Thing is, I'm so disillusioned and disappointed with the dental work I've experienced, I'd really just like to get my £250-odd back for the unsuccessful onlay work, and put the money toward a crown to be done elsewhere. Or, if necessary, the £250-odd would help towards saving up for an implant. I just don't feel the dentists at the practice I've been going to, are any good,and I really want to preserve my teeth and find a good dentist.

Has anybody heard of dental fees being refunded, when dentists' work repeatedly fails? Anything else costing £250 which broke down twice within its one year guarantee, I would expect to be refunded I do hope the same applies to failure of dental repairs.

Please please advise - I'm worried and upset and also.rather broke. I just want to get my teeth repaired by someone good, and I can't afford to throw away £250. Thanks.

TBH it dounds like the work they've done wasn't suitable for your teeth.

I had a crown done that wasn't adequate for my "issues" whilst my dentist was away. My dentist redid the whole thing and deducted the initial cost.

I would focus on finding a good dentist, mine was via a dental nurse recommdendation.

Is there a practice manager you can go to with your complaint?

Thanks RandomMess I'll ask about whether there is a practice manager. The place I've been having work done at, is a group practice, so maybe there is.
Good dentists are worth their weight in gold! I even tried to seek out an excellent dentist (grumpy, miserable type, but SUCH a good dentist) who I used to go to in Yorkshire, decades ago. But he's now retired.

I was told that fillings and crowns etc were guaranteed for a year by my dentist. That was his parting words when he filled my tooth after a gold filling came out. Three weeks later I ?as back with the filling in my hand and a request for the work to be done again.

We have gone for a crown this time which should probably have been done first time round but the money I paid for the filling is going to be credited against it, no questions asked.

Where abouts do you live?

My other thought would be to ask for a credit against getting something more suitable done. Damaged teeth as you get older do get increasing brittle - at least that is my understanding and experience

I was devasted when my 20 year old front crowned tooth snapped off last year, in reality it had done amazingly well has the nerve had been removed 26 years previously, I have weak teeth and had 4 dc!!!! Fortunately my dentist is very good and managed to do me a lovely post and new crown but after that it's going to be implant or bridge

Hi again RandomMess. I live in Norfolk (Norwich), but today and tomorrow am in London. I'm just about to investigate the possibility of - is it the National Dental School/Hospital or something - of going there for advice as to what to do next. As I understand it, it's where dentists are trained and closely supervised, and if anyone could see me, I'm sure I coud get advice I could trust.

I did have the onlay replaced and was charged £18, as the dentist called it an emergency. I'd be happy to get the £240 original onlay cost credited back to me - but I'm scared stiff of more work at the same dental practice as I've just lost confidence. I suppose one or maybe two of the dentists there may be good, but it all feels so hit and miss, I'd rather sleuth out another dentist somewhere else who has rock solid commendations, and give thework to him or her. I wonder if I HAVE to stick to this practice where I got work done and which failed twice and in quick succession?

I understand about losing confidence etc.

My amazing dentist is in Addlestone so it would be into London and back out again - plus you'd need a new patient appointment and who knows how many other appointments...
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Like I said the issue may be your teeth and only a dentist who had seen you for several years would have known in advance that the work you had done would be unlikely to work. In the same way my dentist knew I'd need a custom built post for my new crown (gold and porcelain) because of the bite and pressure I put my front teeth through. She also knows that any filling is likely to result in me needing to have the nerve removed

The dentist training place does sound like a feasible solution?

Hi - thanks again RandomMess. Actually, within reason I don't mind travelling to go to a GOOD dentist. I'd probably be willing to travel to Addlestone if I could be 100% confident I'd be seeing someone who really knows their onions.
As I said a bit up the thread, I'd been prepared to go back to Yorkshire (from Norfolk) if an old dentist I used to go to and who was really good, was still around- because after all, once some successful treatment has been done, I'd only expect to go back for checks once a year or maybe every. 2 years. Until a couple of years ago, I had a 25 year stint of needing no (or almost no) work on my teeth - it's just recently that they seem to be going to Hell in a handcart, and I'm so upset about it, as I don't feel it is my fault!
I still haven't looked up the Dental Hospital. I'll do that in the next few minutes and see if there might be any possibility of seeing someone for a chat about what's best to do.
I do appreciate your moral support , RandomMess and also your comment, slalomsuki.

PM'd you. I am mourning moving away solely because I have to find a new dentist to use. I think I would seriously consider going back if I need any major work doing!