NHS v Private crownS

DocLem

Moved to a new area and went to the dentist (NHS) last week for the first time. Aparently I need three crowns done (two I knew about - one to complete root canal treatment and one fell out last week). The cost is 400 pounds for each one private (i.e. 1200 pounds total!) and 200 pounds on the NHS (i.e. 600 pound total). This is obviously a lot of money.

The dentist tried to convince me to go private - saying that the quality of the crown and the intensity of the treatment would be better, especially as for two of them, the tooths are already VERY filled. She also said that an NHS crown would only last one year, so if I pick NHS, I'll be back in her office again next year with the same problem.

Can I get some advice about this?

I should also add that over the years I've had a lot of dental work (despite being only late-20s) - probably a consequence of hereditary problems - and therefore will continue to need work as things always fail with time (in fact, I'll probably need fake teeth in the future).

I asked the dentist about going on an insurance plan and she said that once the three crowns are done, she'll sign me up on one. So I am tempted to go NHS with these 3 crowns, get an insurance plan, and then when they fail - get private replacements funded by the insurance plan. Is that legit?

I am really uncertain what to do, so any advice greatfully received. The dentist is really pushing me to go private ...

Thanks

minskerella

that seems a lot on the nhs. I thought that the price structure was capped now. My husband just had a root canal and three fillings and it was only about £40. I know that crowns are in the next category but £600 seems a hell of a jump!! Have you checked the nhs website?

minskerella

http://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/DentalCharges.cmsx

Look at this site - it looks like £194 should be the max you pay on the nhs regardless of how many crowns you need. it is the same price for 1 or numerous it seems. That is what we were told at our dentist too.

Philippa36

I paid £194 for 2 crowns to be replaced last week. I had waited and waited for these to be done but was finally persuaded when my O/H got free dental insurance through his work.
My dentist told me that they should last a long time ~ certainly longer than a year!
Is there no other dentist locally you can go and see?

morg_monster

Sounds like your dentist is pushing you towards the option that will line her pockets the most. She either doesn't understand the new NHS pricing system works (hm seems unlikely) or does and is deliberately trying to mislead you - not very nice!!
Other than that I don't have any advice apart from going to her with the NHS information above and asking her to explain it again. It seems unlikely to me that an NHS crown would only last 1 year!!
Where is Toothsmith when you need him?!

Psykicpup

morg_monster wrote: »

Sounds like your dentist is pushing you towards the option that will line her pockets the most. She either doesn't understand the new NHS pricing system works (hm seems unlikely) or does and is deliberately trying to mislead you - not very nice!!
Other than that I don't have any advice apart from going to her with the NHS information above and asking her to explain it again. It seems unlikely to me that an NHS crown would only last 1 year!!
Where is Toothsmith when you need him?!

I signed up with my Private dentist 'cos he was cheaper:money: than our local NHS places...I'd been spending out on treatments etc for sensitive teeth since I turned 18 (plus fillings , root canals etc - cos I dont look after my teeth aparently:eek: )....private was cheaper,. never does any work unless we discuss why etc wants to KEEP my teeth! & calls my prevoius dentist a butcher... if he was expensive I could see why he would do this but he's cheaper then NHS....he also did a deep (undergum) clean which solved my sensitive teeth completely! (who needs sensodine lol) & rhinks my teeth have been looked after, by me, just fine!

What I was trying to say was.. check around - private isnt always dearer...:money:

aussielle

Funnily enough, I've just got back from a trip to the dentist

He said I need a crown and it's gonna cost £180...still in shock! I had no idea they were so expensive, and that's on the NHS. I did ask if he has a payment plan (tongue in cheek) but he wasn't amused, suppose I'm just going to have to save up to have it done

Nile

Hello DocLem

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

I'm sure that Toothsmith or Teerah (the dentists) will post on here, so don't make your decision until you've heard their advice.;)

I'm no expert but I also think that your dentist is being unfair about the quality of an NHS crown. My NHS dentist told me that my crowned tooth should last 20 years before it needs replacing.;)

Regards

Nile

cattie

I've had NHS crowns for years with no problem. A couple of years ago I paid out private to have a gold one changed to a white one for the simple reason that NHS wouldn't allow me to have a white one as it wasn't a front tooth, even though it showed when I smiled.

I Don't know if the regulations have changed now & if you are allowed to have white ones for anything other than front teeth.

lesleystrawson

I had my crowns replaced on the NHS when I was pregnant.
(free of course!)

I must say, that I think both of mine are fab. And they are my front 2 incisors as well, so they need to be.

Savvy_Sue

Nile wrote: »

Hello DocLem

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

I'm sure that Toothsmith or Teerah (the dentists) will post on here, so don't make your decision until you've heard their advice.;)

I'm no expert but I also think that your dentist is being unfair about the quality of an NHS crown. My NHS dentist told me that my crowned tooth should last 20 years before it needs replacing.;)

Regards

Nile

Toothsmith at least is more often on the health board: DocLem might like to ask the board guide to move this post over there where they'll see it.