Broken tooth. Treatments on NHS

jase_31

I have managed to break a amalgam filling which disintergrated into many pieces. The tooth was a 2nd molar (m31). The tooth was already mostly filling so there is about 1/3 of the tooth left on the inside edge.

I dont want to pull the tooth, is it likely likely there is any treatment? when here is little existing tooth left.

What treatments are available on the NHS for a 2nd molar? i.e a crown /root canal/ post etc etc

I have an appointment with the dentist (nhs) next week. I am trying to find out what treatment is available so I have a heads up when I visit next week.

jugglebug

jase_31 wrote: »

I have managed to break a amalgam filling which disintergrated into many pieces. The tooth was a 2nd molar (m31). The tooth was already mostly filling so there is about 1/3 of the tooth left on the inside edge.

I dont want to pull the tooth, is it likely likely there is any treatment? when here is little existing tooth left.

What treatments are available on the NHS for a 2nd molar? i.e a crown /root canal/ post etc etc

I have an appointment with the dentist (nhs) next week. I am trying to find out what treatment is available so I have a heads up when I visit next week.

The polititians will say everything you have mentioned are available on the NHS
However if the tooth is very broken down then the dentist may judge it best treated by a specialist and is quite within their rights to only provide the treatment they judge themselves able to provide, which may be an extraction. If you wish to persue the specialist route then the dentist can refer you, and this is where it gets awkward because the provision of specialist dental services across the NHS is lousy. The Dentist doesn't have to find you a specialist either. He can just refer you to the PCT who have the responsibility to find someone. Except that I wouldn't hold my breath.
One thing to look out for is if the dentist says.. "I can extract it on the NHS or do a root filling privately" That is contrary to the terms of the contract.

jase_31

Been to see the dentist. Had a look, and said that he could repair the damage.

He cleaned the broken tooth (reshaped it slightly), and bonded a composite filling, and shaped it. I was not aware that composite could be used on a back molar on the NHS. The result is better than the amalgam filling that broke.

Can a composite be used in certain circumstances? With such a large restoration in composite, could this now be used for the base for a crown? Or would a RCT and post usually be needed?

Toothsmith

The dentist can, and should, use the most appropriate material for the job. There are no 'rules' anymore as to what can and can't be used. Although a dentist may use the most cost-effective material. A dentist CAN refuse to use a particular material requested by the patient if he doesn't consider it appropriate, or if the only advantage of that material is a cosmetic one.

Seems that you have a dentist who is doing it properly.

The latter part of your question really needs an answer from someone who can actually see the tooth, but composite can make a perfectly good core for a crown