Old crown / new crown / implant

[OldJoseph]

So went for a check up yesterday. Dentist x-rayed and said he could see some decay under my gold overlay. His plan is to remove it, put a temporary filling there (temporary being 3-6 months) and then replace with a new crown, if he gets rid of all the decay.

Sounds reasonable. However I'm worried that this might be the start of lots of trips to the dentist with the temporary filling falling out and problems with the new crown as there will be less tooth for it to stick to. So I was wondering about an implant?

The dentist hasn't suggested an implant as an option and I was wondering if this was because he is an NHS dentist and not something offered by the NHS or because he doesn't think it will work / not necessary? There are private dentists in the same building and my friend had an implant with her dentist there so I know they do them.

What's the likely relationship between dentists in such a set up? Could I retain my NHS dentist AND see a private dentist at the same time or do I have to give up the NHS dentist? I really like and trust the dentist and am happy to go with his suggestions but wondered about the NHS limits and would he be able to suggest private options?

Having an extraction & implant is the nuclear option equivalent to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
It hasn't been suggested as an option because it isn't sensible.
There are so many pitfalls in extraction & implant versus the relative straightforward removal of a gold inlay/ new inlay.

I only had an implant as a total last resort, I had osteomyelitis of the jaw following a chronic infection and had an implant at a specialist clinic in Brighton and a sinus lift. It all worked out very well.
It is a last resort though and only if you HAVE to lose the tooth altogether. The Brighton clinic did it for £1200, they are experts in implants and very cheap, anywhere else it can cost you 3-5 grand.

Thread crash. Who are these Brighton implanters? Details ?Heading rapidly towards last resort .Thanks

Thanks for getting back to me.

My friend with the implant has lovely teeth compared to me and she seems to have gone from filling falling out to implant very quickly and no mention of a crown at all.

I'm very sensitive about my teeth and I don't like teeth-based conversations with friends.This is why I haven't questioned her. I've just been present whilst she talks to someone else. Which is why I put the question here.

So he hasn't suggested an implant not because he's NHS and can't do it but because it's not necessary? I hope he's right.

Oh it's an overlay, not inlay...so big.

It'll be a gold onlay.
Take what your friend says with a pinch of salt.
What your dentist has advised (regardless of NHS or Private status) sounds very reasonable after reviewing your radiographs.
Good luck OP