Dental bridges on NHS?

Dizzy_Ditzy

I have always, through my own stupid fault, had crooked front teeth. Over the last few years they have seperated and spread apart, so I now that I am in more of a financial position to get them done on the NHS, I have to have them removed. I will be having an "immediate denture" for the 1st 3 months, then a permanent denture from then on. This would cost me 2 x £198. One for the extractions and temp dentures and another for the permanent ones.

I am 32 and dont really relish the thought of having false teeth at my age

My question is, because it is my front two teeth, and the work isnt for cosmetic reasons, would I be able to get a bridge done on the NHS? I dont mind waiting a wee while, and can (just about!) afford to pay the charges but my NHS dentist doesnt offer it. Could I reasonably go to another dentist who would?

Sorry if this is jumbled, its all a wee bit confusing to me, and googling it doesnt really help me to be honest

Thanks in advance

QoC

giantmutantbroccoli

I'm pretty sure you can ask to be referred to another dentist for specialist treatment like bridges. It might be worthwhile asking your regular dentist to refer you to a dental teaching hospital, provided you don't mind some of the work being done by (supervised) student dentists. If they take you on as a patient you don't have to pay anything! I'm having implants put in at Manchester dental hospital, I've also had a lot of orthodentic work done there and I was very impressed with the work they did. Plus there was no way I could have afforded it otherwise.

brook2jack

Your own dentist will be best able to advise you. However if your front teeth moved it sounds as if you had gum disease and your first priority will be to get this sorted out to stop you losing any more teeth.

There may very well insufficient bone remaining holding the other teeth in to support a bridge or other clinical reasons you cannot have a bridge.

On the nhs a denture sorts out the problem of your missing teeth and if it were possible it is most likely a bridge would be private only.

None of us have seen you so speak to your dentist as they are best placed to advise you .

Dizzy_Ditzy

Thank you both.

I will go ahead and get the immediate denture done, and during the 3 months that I need to wait for the permanent ones, I will make enquiries with my local dental school.

Dizzy_Ditzy

giantmutantbroccoli wrote: »

I'm pretty sure you can ask to be referred to another dentist for specialist treatment like bridges. It might be worthwhile asking your regular dentist to refer you to a dental teaching hospital, provided you don't mind some of the work being done by (supervised) student dentists. If they take you on as a patient you don't have to pay anything! I'm having implants put in at Manchester dental hospital, I've also had a lot of orthodentic work done there and I was very impressed with the work they did. Plus there was no way I could have afforded it otherwise.

i have spoken to my local dental school and they said that i should get my dentist to refer me to them and they can "take a look at me". They also said that it is entirely feasable for the students to do it.

I feel a lot happier about it all now, so thanks again- i will be making an appointment tomorrow to start the process so when I see her again I will ask her to refer me

Thanks :-D)

brook2jack

If you have lost the teeth due to gum disease then clinically you may not be suitable for a bridge or you may need treatment to sort this out first. The dentist may not refer you for a bridge if you do not meet certain clinical criteria.

If a patient is referred to our local dental hospitals with gum disease they are simply sent back to the referring dentist for gum treatment. I also have to say simple bridges such as you are asking for would also be referred back to the dentist .

Dizzy_Ditzy

Brook2Jack- My teeth have moved because i've had teeth out on my upper jaw which has left room for them to spread out- sadly the wrong way!!

I've been in and had my impressions done this morning. I am going back next week for the extractions and fitting of the immediate denture.

My dentist is referring me to the dental hospital for dental implants. This makes me happy :-) I know it is likely to be a long wait, but it means that all is not lost!!

Thanks again- sorry to mumble on about it on here but other than my immediate family, i've not told anyone else that i am having it done yet

SailorSam

I have one false tooth at the front, the real one was knocked out. My dentist has asked how i find it, i'm not happy, it's uncomfortable and comes out when i'm eating.
He's told me he thinks he could do a bridge. I'm on benefits and get help with any dental work.

welshdent

queen ... at 32 it is highly unusual for teeth to spread out due to adjacent gaps. It is also highly unusual for these teeth to then need extracting for these reasons. I am siding with the other opinions and it sounds as if you may have an underlying gum disease problem that should really be looked for and if present - treated asap.
Hypothetically speaking a gum problem could prevent bridgework and implants being provided ... also i dont know of any dental hospitals that would routinely accept patients for implants. I know if I referred a patient up with your history I would get a prompt letter back saying "we do not accept patients for implants please see our referral guidelines". I know this because having had them misread my referral letter to them ... thats exactly the letter I got back.
What exactly was the reason for the extraction? Simply because they didnt look right? What about orthodontics to reposition them?

Dizzy_Ditzy

Thank you Welsh Dent- I have since overcome my stubborn pride and spoken to a "real person" about this, and she suggested that I also seek an orthodontic opinion. I have asked my dentist for a referral and I shall try and get that appointment as soon as I can. At no time has my dentist mentioned gum disease which is why i figured i didnt have it.

My problem now is that I have already paid for the treatment with the dentist and had the impressions done. Is there not a time limit where I would have to pay again?

My plan now is this. Seek an ortho opinion. See what they say. Measure the two options together and decide which i think is best. I still have Plan A to fall back on as necessary. The ref to the dental school was for restorative dentistry, which after speaking to them seemed like they would have taken me on after an initial consultation.

We shall see what happens!

Thanks again, will keep you updated.

brook2jack

Just so you know you will not be seen for nhs orthodontics as an adult unless you have very specific problems and are referred to hospital. All orthodontic contracts I know of are for under 18s.

I would check if I were you how much the consultation fee is going to be and be aware the private charge for braces will be in the region of £ 1500 upwards.

There is 2 months from opening a course of treatment when all treatment in that band carried out by that dentist only is covered.

Unfortunately you would have spoken to someone clerical at the dental hospital. They do not make clinical descisions. As welshdentist said most of the referrals we make for implants for eg children who have had accidents are sent right back to us so don't pin your hopes on this.

Finally whatever treatment you have will require meticulous care and certainly you should be seeing a hygienist to start on that road.