Chicken bald back

[soapdragon]

About 25 years ago I had 4 porcelain veneers fitted on my top front teeth as they were very discoloured. Occasionally one had fallen off but been re fitted. However, today, I was eating a lump of soft brie and felt a crunch A corner of one of the veneers on the right hand 'side' tooth had come away leaving the rest in place. Its not very noticable but a bit rough at the edge and will need completely replacing.

 

I called the dentist and have an appointment on Thursday for the dentist to do a temp repair then a 40 min appt on Monday for her to remove the veneer and take an impression. Another appt nearly 3 weeks later to fit same.

 

However, I am reeling from the cost and at a loss over the options on offer...hence this posting. I paid just over £800.00 for the 4 about 25 years ago but now the dentist is quoting £219 for an NHS 'composite' one or £475 for a replacnement porcelain one.

 

Quite frankly this makes me feel sick....SOOOOOOOO expensive and I really don't know what to do! I need to make a decision even if it involves an extention to the credit card limit.

 

What exactly is a 'composite' and will it match in with the three other porcelain ones or will I need to go for the porcelain? Which is more hardwearing? Will the dentist fit a temp veneer between removing the 'old' one and fitting the new?

 

As usual, Oh Wise Ones, I would appreciate any pearls of wisdom that any of you could offer

Edited January 17, 2015 by Guest

[The Dogmother]

No idea lovie, but Gavclojak is the expert on all things dentisty.. she'll be along soon. Hope you get it sorted with the minimum of fuss and expense.

 

Just been to the dentist for a check-up myself... he always commends me on the cleanliness of my teefs, then suggests that I go to the hygienist considering that it costs more than a week's worth of groceries to see her, I only go every 4 years as I hate it as well.

[soapdragon]

I have to admit that I feel far less nervous undergoing major surgery than ANYTHING dental..........adding in the potential cost and feeling totally green around the gills!!!

 

And yes, the hygienist is extortionate........our now charges £52.00 for just under half an hour

[gavclojak]

Gosh DM, don't know about an expert, but here goes....the so called "composite" material is usually called indirect composite inlays and like the name suggests are a composite plastic material, like white filling material. They are usually perfectly functional and the benefit is less tooth needs to cut to fit this type of but as you already have a porcelain veneer to this tooth that isn't really relevant I guess. This would be band 3 NHS treatment and would cost £219.00. Basically any treatment that involves laboratory work will be band 3

 

Your dentist could also do a white filling material composite inlay and that would be band 2 NHS and cost £50.50

 

The benefit of a porcelain veneer is the aesthetics and the increased chance of matching your existing veneers.

That said, if they are using a really good lab then the composite one should be OK. Why not ask your dentist if you can go to the lab for a shade match? I am afraid to say I think for the best possible result you may have to go for the porcelain

 

The dentist will fit you with a temporary White filling material temporary veneer which usually looks very good, in Fact lots of patients prefer the temp to what was there before!

 

Another suggestion would be to ring round any other surgeries to see they will provide a porcelain veneer on the NHS as NHS a surgeries are certainly able to do this but some are reluctant to do this due to the high laboratory charges.

 

The price for the private veneer is about the going rate I'm afraid.

 

As for the hygienist charge, we are the same £52 for a half hour session,

[soapdragon]

Thanks so much for that; has put my mind a rest a bit more! Composite it is then!!! Not sure tho, if this means that the other 3 veneers might be nearing the end of their life or was I just unlucky

 

Off for my 10 minute patch up at lunchtime so it will, at least be more comfy tlll the impression appt on Monday. Why does everything in your mouth feel so HUGE? When I run my tongue over the chip it feel enourmous yet the mirror shows me a chip about 2/3 of a centimetre

[gavclojak]

Even the tiniest chip in the mouth feels like the Grand Canyon!

Your veneer have done very well to last 25 years, problem with veneers and crowns is no guarantees, they could go in a year or two or stay put for years on end!

Another tip is, ask for clarification from your dentist about the composite veneer shade and ask why the porcelain veneer Isn't able to be done on the NHS, if he says because of the high lab charge, maybe offer to pay half the lab fee

[soapdragon]

Thanks so much for your input; I went along today and dentist said that, tho it seemed like a major prob to me, it was just a chip!! She has filled it with white filling, light bonded etc and feels that his might do the job and certainly worth trying!!!! Charged me £18.50 which was £200.50 less than I had resigned myself to so I am quietly hopeful ans somewhat extatic!!!

 

I ALWAYS take VERY good care of my veneers and cut apples etc rather than crunching......I feel rather pathetic ; am such a WUSS with anything dental! Granary bread and peanuts are OUT!!!!

[gavclojak]

What a result!

You do exactly what you should do with veneers, people bite their nails with them and wonder why they ping off.

So glad it was resolved to your satisfaction

[soapdragon]

Bless you!!! Am desperately hoping that the white filling will last for some time to come! Thanks again for your help...Omleteers are so resourceful and helpful!!!!

[soapdragon]

Sadly didn't work.......without being aware of it the white filling has come out so am now facing £219 plus shaving more off the tooth; so dissapointed! I really had hope this would save me a huge amount of money and can't understand how this happened as had been so careful ! I didn't even notice it happen!

[Grandmashazzie]

Oh Nooooo.Poor you.

[gavclojak]

Sadly didn't work.......without being aware of it the white filling has come out so am now facing £219 plus shaving more off the tooth; so dissapointed! I really had hope this would save me a huge amount of money and can't understand how this happened as had been so careful ! I didn't even notice it happen!

 

The problem is with a small chip there isn't enough area to hold the filling in place. Teeth can be such a pain and so expensive when things go wrong!

I hope you get it resolved, I under how frustrated you must be but I guess it was worth giving it a shot!

[Chicken shack]

A number of years ago I fell flat on my face in Paris as I was crossing the road. I chipped my front tooth and after several attempts and failing the dentist was able to make the filling stay on. it's been fine now for many years and I forget that it's not reall. The best thing it's not noticeable? So don't give up try again. I am now going through the process of having a crown fitted to my lower back tooth which is problamtic. Got to go back on the 28th and start all over again.

[soapdragon]

I feel for you, chicken shack and hope that all goes well

[soapdragon]

Chickenshack.......how did it go with your appt today? Was the dentist able to do all that needed to be done or do you need to go back? How is it feeling now?

 

I had my old veneer shaved off today with temp fillingy thing on.....now totally terrified of THAT falling off !!! Veneer fit not till 16th Feb but hoping the lab is quiet and they can do it sooner (can't be soon enough for me!!!)

 

A good opportunity for me to eat lots less as that will, I hope, minimise the chance of the temp coming off....bring on the bananas, soft cheese etc!

[Chicken shack]

Chickenshack.......how did it go with your appt today? Was the dentist able to do all that needed to be done or do you need to go back? How is it feeling now?

 

I had my old veneer shaved off today with temp fillingy thing on.....now totally terrified of THAT falling off !!! Veneer fit not till 16th Feb but hoping the lab is quiet and they can do it sooner (can't be soon enough for me!!!)

 

A good opportunity for me to eat lots less as that will, I hope, minimise the chance of the temp coming off....bring on the bananas, soft cheese etc!

 

Poor you! Let's hope the new crown fits. Now you did ask so here goes!

The initial preparation in December was so bad I spent over 2 hours in the chair and suffererd shock as a result. When I returned to have the crown fitted, it didn't fit. Temp crown again. Returned again to have crown fitted by a different dentist, it was too high but the dentist rushed and sent me home. I couldn't shut my jaw. By now I had lost all faith and I emailed the surgery and told them how I felt if I could afford to pay again I'd go somewhere else. Another appointment and a 3rd dentist who was so lovely. I was given options, money back, re do new crown etc. I opted for new crown. The dentist shaved the crown so I could shut my jaw and made the appointment for today. The crown felt more comfortable and the thought of having it removed and redone filled me with horror. I returned today to have it removed but decided to have a little more shaved of for a better fit. The dentist also offered me a refund but I would have to go to a different practice in the future. She was lovely, so patient, I declined the refund. An ex ray was taken to ensure all was well. The refund is still there if I want/need it. Going back in three months however I can make an app at anytime if I need to. Hopefully I'll be ok. Let us know how it goes!

[gavclojak]

Oh dear, stories like yours fill me with horror.

[bluekarin]

Me too! I don't understand why, if you took the refund, you would have to go to a new dentist though Hope you have no further problems with it, and I hope your new front tooth is sorted quickly for you too Soapdragon.

[soapdragon]

Chickenshack...thats a horror story! However, I do wonder if its the lab that made the crown that is at fault (tho I know they would have been given impressions by your dentist!?)

 

From what I have heard, the quality of a dentists implants/crowns/veneers etc does depend on the lab so might be worth asking that question?

 

Do hope that all is resolved to your comfort and satisfaction

 

My dentist is in Henley on Thames and they use a lab in London....I was assured that my impressions would be sent off first class the same day so just hoping that they done't get lost in the post!!!!!

[Chicken shack]

Me too! I don't understand why, if you took the refund, you would have to go to a new dentist though Hope you have no further problems with it, and I hope your new front tooth is sorted quickly for you too Soapdragon.

 

I don't want a refund if they are doing their best to sort out the problem. The dental practice has just been taken over and the 1st dentist was a very young Greek man, very easy on the eye. I think he was inexperienced and a little over his head. I think he was only a temp! The second dentist has been at the practice for a few years and wasn't given the time needed to deal with me. She was thrown in at the deep end. The third dentist and the practice nurse explained every detail and options, were very patient with me. I sound like a real pain don't I? Before moving I'd had the same dentist for 30 years. Hopefully I'll never have to have another crown.

[The Dogmother]

You're not being a pain at all... you are paying for a service, and clearly weren't receiving it.

[gavclojak]

I agree with DM.

You have been very unlucky, having three new associates in such a short time is far from ideal! I would have asked for the principle dentist to take over your care until this course of treatment is resolved to your satisfaction.

Laboratories work on impressions from the dentist and if the lab are not happy with the impressions they won't usually make the crown and will ask for new impressions.

We have stopped sending lab work in the post unless it's by recorded delivery, we now rely on local labs who collect and deliver.

Associates usually stay with a surgery on average two years after qualifying, they usually then go in to open their own surgeries. Luckily my associates have been with us 8, 6, and 5 years. The continuity for the patients is essential in my humble opinion

[Grandmashazzie]

My dentist makes the crown on site,so you can have a crown in a day.If it doesn't work out,as happened to a friend and her only option was an implant. He allowed what she had paid off the implant. Mind you I think he is pricy for implants.I have total faith in him which I think is important so I don't mind paying over odds and hope I am not back before I have cleared credit card.

[Chicken shack]

I agree with DM.

You have been very unlucky, having three new associates in such a short time is far from ideal! I would have asked for the principle dentist to take over your care until this course of treatment is resolved to your satisfaction.

Laboratories work on impressions from the dentist and if the lab are not happy with the impressions they won't usually make the crown and will ask for new impressions.

We have stopped sending lab work in the post unless it's by recorded delivery, we now rely on local labs who collect and deliver.

Associates usually stay with a surgery on average two years after qualifying, they usually then go in to open their own surgeries. Luckily my associates have been with us 8, 6, and 5 years. The continuity for the patients is essential in my humble opinion

 

I did ask for the principle dentist but she was the second dentist I'd had. So I didn't want her. I really think they are looking after me now.

[gavclojak]

I'm glad your confident, it's essential to have faith in your dentist and hairdresser