Dentists can they charge for alterations

jugglebug

tbw wrote: »

And another thing, if the teeth did not fit properly then I would assume that the dentist did not do a satisfactory job. I would not expect to pay for alterations to adjust a poor fit.

I wish this was always the case.
I have seen dentures that clinically look like the worst fitting piece of tat ever, BUT the patient thinks they are great.
I have also seen what I believe to be the best fitting dentures on the planet, that are perfectly stable and make a satisfying sucking noise as they are tugged out of the mouth, BUT the patient complains that they are loose and covers them in denture adhesive and all manner of gloop.

The fact of the matter is dentures are a compromise. They in no way are as good as natural teeth, They are a hard appliance sat on a soft tissue (gum) that isn't designed for the purpose, with a hard tissue (bone) immediately beneath. Once the natural teeth are removed the bone shrinks away, often becoming a narrow ridge (especially in the lower) so you get a reduced area to take the chewing force, on a soft tissue with a sharp hard tissue beneath. A double whammy. In this situation even the best fit possible will still likely be uncomfortable purely because of the anatomy of the soft gum sandwich. Even worse in some individuals the bone can resorb so much that the nerve that runs through it can actually lie on the surface instead. Try putting a hard lump of acrylic in that area!
Dental implants are roughly 40 years old and their 1st application was to stabilise lower dentures. That way the chewing forces are directed onto bone, which is able to take the load. They also reduce the continuing bone shrinkage. The good news is that you are never too old to have them, and the costs are not massive if you look at how long they last and how many meals you are likely to eat in that time!

balloo_2

Toothsmith wrote: »

If the teeth were 'relined' then your Dad would have had to have left them with the dentist whilst they went off to a technician.

Did that happen??

Yes he did leave them with the Dentist but he did not know any different and my Sister picked them up the day before he went on holidays and that is when she asked if there was a charge and was told No. I think the problem from what i can gather is the fact that they were booked down as a reline and not an alteration but yet again my dad didn't know the difference between the two, but surely if the dentist had taken to much off the teeth that they had to go back thats the dentists fault?

Toothsmith

A reline really should be fitted - not just given back. There can often be problems afterwards, and just to hand them over really isn't doing it right.

BFG_2

Shut up whinging and pay the bill....tightwad.