Dentist - won't recommend bridge/crown

mpet

Hi

I have an NHS dentist who I have never had a problem with and he is not one of these that recommend lots of 'unnecessary' treatments - as I have experienced with other dentists in the past.

I have alwasy gone to the dentist regulary, cleaned teeth regularly etc, but I have had all of my molars filled (when I was in my teens) which seems to have been the norm for that time (early 1970's). Now I am continually experiencing broken teeth - where the teeth surrounding the fillings are breaking away.

My dentist simply builds up the broken bits with some kind of white filling/cement. This is OK, but even this keeps breaking. I did mention could I have a Crown/Bridge (I've had to have one tooth completely removed), but he says my surrounding teeth are not strong enough? I do have receding gums along the molars - would this be the problem?

What I am getting fed up with is the constant visits for repairs. Surely there is something more permanent (apart from dentures:)).

I keep considering visiting a different dentist, but am not sure if I am wasting my time and my own dentist is right - nothing can be done.

Has any one any suggestions on what I should do next?

welshdent

It is impossible to gauge from your description without seeing your teeth directly. It is true that sometimes so much of the tooth is lost that its unable to retain a crown. That said there normally ARE other options rather than simple patch up jobs. Certainly I find that amalgam fillings are notourious for having the teeth break around them. Sometimes the only option other than extraction IS to keep patching until the whole thing goes. As I say though I cant advise properly as I can not see your teeth or have access to x rays or vitality tests. If your are concerned you would be well within your rights to seek a second opinion. Maybe find a dentist who you are someone you know trusts and see what they think.

brook2jack

On the NHS it I very, very unlikely that anyone would place a bridge to replace one tooth.

The only other thing I would say is you like this dentist because he doesn't prescribe unnecessary treatment. If you have problems with your gums and large breaking fillings perhaps some of the treatment that you thought of as unnecessary was needed to sort some of these problems out and you may find by swapping dentists you end up having more routine treatment.

Ask friends and relations for recommendations for a second opinion, but bear in mind both tooth and gums need to be in good condition to justify crowning and you may find another dentist has different ideas to your present dentist.

mpet

Thanks for the advice - I think I will get a second opinion, perhaps if another dentist tells me the same, I'll just have to put up with the 'running repairs'.