Dental crown on NHS?

dandelionclock30

To the OP, whilst your waiting for the crown issue to be sorted, make sure your not doing theings like crunching hard on boiled sweets/ rock etc on your root canal tooth. Its correct they do become brittle because they dont have blood going through them because the tooth is now dead.
I've had 2 done with crowns and 1 broke before it was crowned by me biting hard on things.

ripplyuk

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Its correct they do become brittle because they dont have blood going through them because the tooth is now dead.

Thanks. I understand it isn't anywhere near as strong as a 'live' tooth but mine has had a root canal for over 20 years and never had a crown. It's only since the root canal had to be re-done that the dentist says I should crown it.

Since I've now learnt it's realistically impossible to get a crown on the NHS in Northern Ireland at present, I'm just hoping the tooth will continue to last. I'm trying to accept that I'm probably going to lose it sooner rather than later.

[Deleted User]

twixeey wrote: »

Please can I ask is your crown Silver or gold?

It's definitely not gold, but I don't know what it's made of. It's a sort of dull grey colour, a bit like pencil lead in appearance, perhaps the dentist above will be able to tell you what it's likely to be. He said that the NHS won't pay for a cosmetic one where it's out of sight at the back, which is fine as it is out of sight.

ripplyuk

DrTeeth007 wrote: »

The moment a dentist says that something is needed, it HAS to be offered on the NHS. '.

Yes, I can wait for one on the NHS here but the dentist has to send the request off to be approved which can take a very long time, if they ever approve it at all. I had no idea the rules had changed in Northern Ireland until posting this on the forum but I've been reading a lot about it since. Apparently, the only 'clinical need' is to relieve pain and leave the patient with functioning dentition which they argue can be achieved by extracting the tooth.

Seems it's cheaper to give patients a set of acrylic dentures instead of trying to save their natural teeth. Only acrylic ones though, they've removed the option of metal dentures. It's so depressing.

ripplyuk

DrTeeth007 wrote: »

We used to have 'prior approval' in England, but it was a rubber-stamping exercise.

I have no knowledge of the system in NI, but I just cannot believe it will take as long as you say. Get your MP involved and the papers. Your dentist might be able to fight the system I we used to in England. It's a bloody disgrace if what is written here about NHS dentistry in NI is true.

Maybe a quick trip to England might be in order? AIUI, you would be entitled to NHS treatment here.

It really is a disgrace. I might look into the possibility of treatment in England. Not sure of the rules about it but least it might be worth checking. Apparently these changes were brought into Northern Ireland because we have poorer dental health and therefore, cost too much money. I'm not sure what the answer is there but it seems to me that cutting the budget isn't going to improve dental health. Though, I guess their point is, we're all meant to have dentures instead.

Rachgra05

I am in Northern Ireland too and just had a visit with my dentist today. I knew I needed two crowns and my dentist (who is really nice) told me I can get them for free on the NHS or go private at a cost of £1100. He said the NHS Crowns won't match my other teeth and may not last as long. I was hoping that they would be a decent match as they are my front teeth. Obviously who wouldn't go for the free option but I'm scared now that they'll be really noticeable (as they are now due to being discolored) and I won't be any happier. Does anyone have a front crown and are they happy with it?

suki1964

Rachgra05 wrote: »

I am in Northern Ireland too and just had a visit with my dentist today. I knew I needed two crowns and my dentist (who is really nice) told me I can get them for free on the NHS or go private at a cost of £1100. He said the NHS Crowns won't match my other teeth and may not last as long. I was hoping that they would be a decent match as they are my front teeth. Obviously who wouldn't go for the free option but I'm scared now that they'll be really noticeable (as they are now due to being discolored) and I won't be any happier. Does anyone have a front crown and are they happy with it?

The trouble with NHS crowns and false teeth, is they don't have the range of shades then are afforded to private patients

I have a Nhs partial plate one tooth is the front and I've had four added to the sides over the years. None of the teeth match each other let alone any of my original teeth But they aren't terrible. Just when you really look you notice the shades are not quite right. Like putting a polar white washing machine beside a brilliant white dish washer. Both are white, just not the same white

aggypanthus

:A

Rachgra05 wrote: »

I am in Northern Ireland too and just had a visit with my dentist today. I knew I needed two crowns and my dentist (who is really nice) told me I can get them for free on the NHS or go private at a cost of £1100. He said the NHS Crowns won't match my other teeth and may not last as long. I was hoping that they would be a decent match as they are my front teeth. Obviously who wouldn't go for the free option but I'm scared now that they'll be really noticeable (as they are now due to being discolored) and I won't be any happier. Does anyone have a front crown and are they happy with it?

my front crown lasted 16 yrs, then I had the front 4 done again with 2 crowns and 2 veneers, cost just under £400. The colours are fine but not perfect, but then your own teeth will change too. That was 4 yrs ago and they should last about 10 yrs I was told.

aggypanthus

PS, my dentist offerred that I went to the lab so they could expertly colour match for me.
it was my chance to opt for Nhs Or private, the lab lady showed me her work, and said that the difference is minimal based on materials used, not enough to warrant paying private.
Dentist asured me his quality of work would be exactly the same, whatever he fitted.