Questions about Dental crowns

Toothsmith

Why do you think it's an 'NHS' dentist?

You're paying a private price.

If you're paying a private price, but not getting the time and attention, and not having all the options carefully explained to you then you're getting the worst of all worlds. - Private prices on an NHS conveyor belt!

You could find a decent private practice for the prices you're quoting there.

tirednewdad

You are definately getting a private crown/inlay- if you are an NHS patient then you should have had an NHS option. An NHS crown/inlay will be in the region of £200.

If the cost wasn't explained to you, or if you are an NHS patient and the fact that this treatment was being done privately and not explained to you- then the dentist is at fault.

Ring them up ASAP and explain your concerns- this will usually resolve the issue. If not then a written complaint is in order to the practice.

If you are a private patient then i would expect a very good crown/inlay for the figure quoted.

Hope this helps.

notanothergreyhair

I had a porcelain inlay a couple of years ago and paid around £600.

paulr8794

many thanks guys,

I think I will give them a tinkle tommorow and discuss this issue. I had a ring around some other local dentists today and prices seem to vary from 250 to 500 pounds.

Out of interest does anyone know can you have a white inlay/crown on nhs treatment or would it have to be gold or some sort of metal.

dont fancy looking like metalmickey xxx

brook2jack

Nhs regulations say you only have to place what makes someone dentally fit. On the nhs you will get a non precious metal alloy crown in most cases (metal). You will not get a white inlay.

The laboratory fees for high quality White crowns can be in excess of the total nhs fee so nhs fees dictate that much cheaper lab work is used.

DonnaP

Hi

My understanding from a previous dentist (NHS) was that once I had my back tooth root filled, I would need a crown to protect the tooth.

Since then I have moved dentists (private) and this dentist says crowning a root filled tooth isn't always necessary.

I am really confused and don't know what to think.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks

Donna

brook2jack

Different dentists have different opinions and none of us can see your tooth or xrays.

Root filling does make the tooth more brittle but preparing a tooth for a crown is very destructive so there are certain teeth eg lower front teeth where you want to avoid crowning for as long as possible as they are small teeth with small roots.

There are no guarantees in dentistry I have seen uncrowned root filled teeth last a life time and unfilled teeth split in half. The descision to crown depends on many factors and there is no blanket right answer.

Toothsmith

What she said!

brook2jack

I forgot to add if your new dentist didn't do the root flling on the back tooth they may be loath to crown it until they are sure there are going to be no problems from it ie they may want to keep an eye on it for a while

BettiePage

suki1964 wrote: »

Im in the middle of getting a crown done on the NHS. Apparently it has to be gold as its Lower R7 and the NHS dont allow for white crowns that far back (so my dentist has said). I asked about the cost of going private to get a white one and for someone on minimum wage and only part time, its out of my reach - was told "around £400".:eek:

Hey ho, should have looked after my teeth a lot better in my youth.:o

Im not really complaining as tbh I could save for the crown (gave up smoking - but then heating oil is through the roof) and its not like Im not going to be getting the tooth crowned, but its sad to see the reality of a NHS dental service - there isnt really one. And hey maybe a bit of bling in me mouth will cheer me up when Im sat here freezing in the winter:D

Mine is the exact same tooth. Does anyone have a rough estimate of the cost for a white one these days? I really DON'T want a gold tooth.
I can continue the usual dental treatment/checkups on the nhs though can't I?