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BritishBeef
03-03-2008, 10:09 PM
Sorry for long post.
About 20 years ago I managed to smash both of my front teeth to pieces.
I have had a lot of treatment over the years as a result.
Right now, I have a stump for a front right tooth and nothing at all for my front left. I have a plastic denture on a plate to fill the gap and complete my smile.

I am an anxious patient and suffer from severe health anxiety. I have passed out twice after dental treatment in the past.
I have lost faith in dentists after moving 5 years ago and registering with a new local NHS dentist. I had some routine fillings with my new dentist and with one of them I had a lot of pain during the filling despite the dentist constantly topping up my anesthetic. After both fillings I had pain when biting and from hot and cold for months afterwards. The dentist filled down the filling a little but it still hurt. The pain dissapeared after about 4 months!

That dentist then went private only and there are no NHS dentists in my area anymore.

I had a crown for 18 years on my front right tooth but it fell off a few months ago and so I went to a private dentist that my wife used a few years ago. I wasn't impressed with the place considering that the practice was a private one - the decor was very outdated - straight from the eighties.

I was quoted prices to fix the denture, have a bridge or an implant. I think the prices were £125 for repair, £3000 for implant and £800 for bridge plus £300 for route canal for bridge. I went with the repair as I couldn't afford anything else at the time.

I have just strarted getting some pain in the area above the stump of my front right tooth. I have had this pain before several times for a few days at a time but this time I've had it over a week and it's getting worse.

So it looks like I need to get to a dentist. I have managed to find an NHS dentist 10 miles away but they can't give me an appointment for 3 weeks (not even if I need emergency treatment apparentky because I am a new patient?!).

If the pain gets a lot worse I will need to see someone immeadiately and I think the only place to go round here is Bristol Dental hospital where dentists can learn the trade. I am worried that I will be referred there because I'm worried they could make a mistake! Has anyone else been treated at a Dental hospital like this?

How do I find a reputable private dentist? I'm concerned that I could spend a considerable amount of money but get poor treatment.

A questions for any dentists on here: If I have an infection in my stump, what is the best course of action if I want to still have a denture? Is it necessary to perform a route canal or just remove the remainder of the tooth?

Does anyone know of a good private or NHS accepting dentist in the Bristol / North Somerset area?

Any advice greatly appreciated. I just can't believe that you can't get treatment on the NHS hardly anywhere nowadays, it's a disgrace.

Jo Blev
03-03-2008, 10:17 PM
try your local NHS direct they should have an emergency dental clinic number is 0845 4647 or try If you are not registered with a local dentist, emergency treatment is available from the NHS Dental Access Centre at 33 Broad Street, Bristol BS1 2EZ on +44 (0)117 906 9612. Alternatively, telephone NHS Direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/) on 0845 4647 for availability of emergency appointments for non-registered patients at other local dental access centres. There is also an emergency dental clinic at the Bristol Dental Hospital (http://www.ubht.nhs.uk/dental/); telephone +44 (0)117 928 4383 for details of charges and opening times. There is also an out of hours dental emergency service on telephone 0845 120 6680, Monday to Friday 18.00 to 21.00, and weekends/Bank Holidays 08.00 to 17.00.

moomin_white
03-03-2008, 10:58 PM
where in Bristol do you live?

BritishBeef
04-03-2008, 7:12 AM
I live in Portishead. I asked for Bristol because I thought I'd get more recommendations. I don't mind going to Bristol if the dentist is good. Obviously I would prefer Portishead.

moomin_white
04-03-2008, 10:06 AM
i used to work with a guy in Bristol,who now only works in Portishead. He's really nice and honest. I will PM you with his details.

BritishBeef
04-03-2008, 2:52 PM
Toothache's worse now :( Any dentists on this forum that can give me some advice?

monkey22
04-03-2008, 3:00 PM
I used to go to Guy's hospital for treatment in London. I got better treatment there than any other dentist! The students were really thorough and they had to explain to their tutor what they were going to do every step of the way, so really I got a second opinion on which treatment would be best IYSWIM.
I wouldn't hesitate if I were you - get it seen to.;)

Toothsmith
04-03-2008, 5:01 PM
I'm afraid your questions are just a bit too specific for me to answer without seeing you.

She's not said on here, but Moomin white is a hygienist, and I would go with her recommendation.

Can't give medical advice about the toothache, but I would get to a dentist ASAP, and whatever you do, DON'T hold anything warm against it. It will make things 10x worse.

feclmum
04-03-2008, 5:11 PM
when i had an abcess once the emergency dentist told me to swill the area with hot salt water for 1min spit out and repeat 3 times,did this every couple hours n its amazing how much relief you get it draws out infection.everybody ive recommended this to it has worked so maybe give you some relief until you get appoint good luck

BritishBeef
04-03-2008, 5:28 PM
I'm afraid your questions are just a bit too specific for me to answer without seeing you.

She's not said on here, but Moomin white is a hygienist, and I would go with her recommendation.

Can't give medical advice about the toothache, but I would get to a dentist ASAP, and whatever you do, DON'T hold anything warm against it. It will make things 10x worse.

I have just been to the practice recommended by Moomin. They are an NHS practice but of course have no places available until maybe April.

I went to a different private practice and had a chat. I got a good 'vibe' from there and have made an appointment for tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

I have just

whatatwit
05-03-2008, 1:10 PM
How did it go BritishBeef?

BritishBeef
05-03-2008, 4:37 PM
How did it go BritishBeef?

Thanks for asking.
I really liked the dentist I saw today. They had a very thorough questionaire for me to fill in and so then new all about my past problems and worries. He imeadiately put me at ease and was really friendly.

I had the usual x-rays and the dentist went through them with me and explained everything in great detail. I don't have any sign of an absess but the area looked a little inflamed in the x-ray and so there may be an infection starting. I have an existing root filling in the remaining tooth stump that doesn't look very well performed and so I could have that re-done or the whole tooth extracted. I have decided to go with the extraction as I see no point in keeping the stump there only for these problems to keep flaring up.

This dentist was the first (private or NHS) NOT to give me the hard sell to have two £3000 implant. He just told me my options and left it uo to me. The last 4 dentists I have been to (3 NHS, 1 private) have all tried to talk me into the most expensive treatment. Whilst I accept that implants are the best solution, I am not comfortable with that type of procedure and no way can I afford £6000!

I'm going to have a metal backed denture/plate made up to replace my plastic one but I will have to wait 6 months for my extraction to fully heal and the bone to settle before I can have one.

It's all going to cost about £900 all done but it will better that the NHS could offer and it's about time I had something of better quality done about it as my denture now is very poorly made and ill-fitting.

I'm having the tooth extracted in 2 weeks........arrrrghhh!

I so wish I never cycled into the back of a car 23 years ago and shattered my two front teeth - I have spent a fortune on my teeth as a result since and endured so many lovely dental procedures!

whatatwit
05-03-2008, 7:44 PM
It's good you've found a dentist you are happy with and the treatment options.
As you say, a properly fitted plate will make the world of difference and with the extraction, you have no further problems with the partial tooth.

Toothsmith
05-03-2008, 10:10 PM
Sounds like the sort of dental practice that I feel everybody should be looking for.

Good communication, and a good range of high quality treatments to suit most pockets.