Am I entitled to a bridge on the NHS?

alison999

mazza1985 wrote: »

I have contacted PALS who think I have a good case for one! I wanted to know is it possible, and it seems like it is so Im going to fight my corner for it now!

But they are not dentists, if the dentist believes the bridge doesnt have a good prognosis then he doesnt have to do it. I agree about seeing your GP about your anxiety. The problem with the infections is that they are being caused because YOU wont take your denture out at night, going against your dentists advise.

Toothsmith

The other thing about providing a bridge is that it will damage teeth either on one or both sides of the gap.

Even something like a Maryland (stick-on) bridge does a little damage.

A dentist wouldn't be oing his/her job right if they chopped up teeth at the drop of a hat to provide treatments that they are not sure are in the best interests of their patients.

I have quite a few ladies with dentures who keep them in 24/7 despite my advice. None of them throw up repeated candidal infections.

With a well fitting denture, and good mouth cleaning, there really shouldn't be any problem.

Obviously, I haven't seen you, but from what you describe, if you walked into my surgery tomorrow, I'd probably suggest a new denture as a first step, with the possibility of a bridge later on if mouth cleaning was then good enough to keep it all healthy. But I don't have to worry about what is and isn't allowed on the NHS - just what's best for patients.

The 'psycological' reasons for needing a bridge really aren't worth persuing unless you're prepared to get psyciatric reports. (?sp!) Believe it or not, 'needing' a treatment for psycological reasons is a well trodden path, and one the NHS is on to!

I think being 23 and having a front tooth missing IS reason enough to qualify for a bridge - just not necessarily yet. I would go with it for now. It probably is in your best interests for now.

mazza1985

Toothsmith wrote: »

The other thing about providing a bridge is that it will damage teeth either on one or both sides of the gap.

Even something like a Maryland (stick-on) bridge does a little damage.

A dentist wouldn't be oing his/her job right if they chopped up teeth at the drop of a hat to provide treatments that they are not sure are in the best interests of their patients.

I have quite a few ladies with dentures who keep them in 24/7 despite my advice. None of them throw up repeated candidal infections.

With a well fitting denture, and good mouth cleaning, there really shouldn't be any problem.

Obviously, I haven't seen you, but from what you describe, if you walked into my surgery tomorrow, I'd probably suggest a new denture as a first step, with the possibility of a bridge later on if mouth cleaning was then good enough to keep it all healthy. But I don't have to worry about what is and isn't allowed on the NHS - just what's best for patients.

The 'psycological' reasons for needing a bridge really aren't worth persuing unless you're prepared to get psyciatric reports. (?sp!) Believe it or not, 'needing' a treatment for psycological reasons is a well trodden path, and one the NHS is on to!

I think being 23 and having a front tooth missing IS reason enough to qualify for a bridge - just not necessarily yet. I would go with it for now. It probably is in your best interests for now.

Thanks for your comments, its not repeated infections I've just had a couple in the last year, and I'm just really annoyed at the moment as my mouth is so sore im finding it difficult to brush my teeth properly.

Im aware that bridges cause damage to teeth, which is why I've been willing to wait to have one done. I've actually been looking at financing it privately but my credit rating is so poor I just cant get finance!

I just feel really let down, I was promised it one minute and now it has been taken away! I could switch dentists but I've already paid £44 for fissure sealents and cannot afford to start again.

Also, if my dentist suggested a new denture, I would refuse as it would be the same cost to me to get a bridge done! If the dentist had said "ok, well we will moniter it for 18 months and then if you have looked after everything to a high standard I will consider it" then that would have been but he wont consider it at all, yet he wants to do fissure sealents which arent clinically necessary anyway!

*sighs* :-(

Toothsmith

I would try changing dentists. Your BF's sounds a bit more tuned in.