Crown fell out

Toothsmith

starlite wrote:

Can I ask what is a reasonable time to expect a crown to stay in , and what you should be charged for refitting it?

My OH had two put in after extensive root canal treatment last year, and one fell out a month later. He was charged £17 to have it put back in, which he was quite annoyed about, but paid, but it has happened twice since, and he has been charged everytime. It is beginiing to feel loose again, and I really think, seeing as he has barely a shred of his original tooth for it to go onto that it should have been bridged in the first place.

Many thanks.

I would say something isn't right there.

It depends what was said when the work was done originally.

If the scenario was that the dentist said "I think we should take this tooth out" and the patient said "I really don't want that tooth out - please do whatever you can to save it"

Then the dentist can't really be held responsible for problems afterwards, and is perfectly justified in charging a fee every time it is stuck back on.

If, however the dentist said "We should do this treatment, it will save the tooth, and be fine for years" then you would be quite right to be miffed when it kept falling out, and if the dentist didn't take steps to put things right, I would say a complaint would be quite likely to succeed.

Both those scenarios are likely to be extremes. The crux of the matter will be in exactly what was discussed at the time of the treatment planning.

Some dentists are not very good in communicating their intentions. If the dentist just bashed on with the treatment without discussing much, then it is up to him to prove he did discuss all options and their likely lifespan rather than you having to prove that he didn't.

The notes the dentist made about it are likely to be crucial as well.

Have a talk with your hubby and see if he remembers any conversations. If you feel it wasn't planned properly, then speak to the dentist about it next time you need to see him, and see what his point of view on the subject is.

Teerah

Hi Starlite, I agree, unless your husband specifically requested this treatment and was advised that it was unlikely to work, then I think he should be asking the dentist some questions. Was the treatment private?? Under HS regulations, a patient does not have to pay for having the same treatment redone within a twelve month period.