Dentures/Bridges - Can they be done on NHS?

[Deleted User]

I don't know if this is in the right place. Apologies if not.

I go to a quite 'classy' dentist (they do teeth implants/crowns etc on the spot) but as a carer, receive NHS treatment.

My dentist has told me that one of my front teeth can't be saved, and I need dentures (I have about four missing teeth now). He said bridges can't be done on the NHS. This is rather upsetting as I don't want dentures (heard too many stories about how badly NHS dentures fit etc). As I am quite forthright, I told him I'd rather have a breast removed which took him aback a little lol!

Is it true that Bridges can't be done on the NHS? I look at NHS choices and it seems to say they can be? I remember a dentist saying a couple of years ago he could do a bridge to replace a back tooth that had been removed, but now I am being told this isn't possible at this dentist.

I am surprised the front tooth can't be saved, it has fractured but over half of it is still there.

Are NHS dentrures as bad as I have heard?

brook2jack

NHS provides what is clinically necessary to maintain health.

In some cases that might include a bridge but it depends on the condition of the other teeth,gums and how many other teeth are missing. If a couple of teeth are missing in different places in your mouth a denture is a justifiable option.

In many cases a denture would secure oral health and in any case a bridge should not , in general , be fitted straight after a tooth is extracted and many people would need to wear a temporary denture anyway.

As to whether the tooth could be saved only someone who can see you and your x rays could comment.

Many people wear nhs dentures perfectly well , but any denture , however well made , needs perservence and patience in order to adapt to using it. All dental work is only a substitute for your own teeth, its never as good as your own teeth.

welshdent

Can be yes. Have to be no.
You are entitled to what is deemed clinically necessary butr that doesnt mean you are entitled to have what you want. The dentist should present options to you that they feel appropriate, that may be NHS options or private options and between you, you decide on the chosen route.

[Deleted User]

The dentist I saw initially offered no options. Only removal of the tooth was offered. After a depressed couple of months I went back to the practice and saw another dentist. He offered to try a large filling. He said it wouldn't be a permanent solution but he did it, and its still in place. I'm cleaning and working at preserving the tooth as much as possible so it lasts as long as possible.

I did have to have a 20 year old capped tooth removed. Oh dear, an hour and the dentist was still trying to remove the tooth. Horrible local injections too..., the tooth had curved around the jaw bone, not the dentists fault. But eventually after removal of some jaw bone, it came out. I had to be helped out of the surgery lol. Then when I returned there were still some roots to be removed. Not pleasant.

So for goodness sake.., clean your teeth, floss, do whatever you have to to prevent tooth cavities.

thehappybutterfly

Agreed Deanna. I used to have lovely teeth and I still do - from a distance. But look at my dental xrays - virtually every tooth is filled, I've had four root canals, one missing molar (extracted 23 years ago without being offered some form of replacement), a silver crowned molar and receding gums. All because I only did the bare minimum despite a penchant for toffees and crunchy sweets. I echo your advise - brush 3 times a day and floss but also cut out the sugar. I'm now facing a situation where my lovely dentist is fighting to save an upper incisor? - root canal first. Then when that deteriorates we'll be looking at a crown or bridge. At the front of my mouth. I'm horrified. So far all my work has been on molars. I've always been proud of my smile - not any more though.

harrys_nan

I so agree with the above, but can I also add DO NOT SMOKE, I lost my teeth and have to wear dentures which do not fit very well but that is down to my gums losing their structure. My fault without a doubt, If I was told that smoking would affect my teeth/gums that may have been the one thing that put me off of cigs

thehappybutterfly

We never listen to any advice when we're younger! Its not until we're getting on and all the bad habits we develop catch up and we wished we'd listened. Sometimes it's too late but not always - we can look after what's left and hope our kids/grandkids take heed.

thehappybutterfly

Can I ask harry's nan, can you not get new dentures as your other ones don't fit?

thehappybutterfly

Of all the things that deteriorate with age, poor diet, alcohol intake etc, losing my teeth is the one thing I really dread. Wrinkles, spots, cellulite - them I can handle as they're all fixable. But once your teeth are gone, they're gone. And the alternatives aren't very appealling with the exception of implants and who can afford them? My dentist told me that one his patients is about to spend £17,000 on implants. £17k!

Toothsmith

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

My dentist told me that one his patients is about to spend £17,000 on implants. £17k!

So about the same as a mid-range car.

For something that will last longer than a car, have less running costs, enable them to enjoy eating/food again and completely transform their life.

So when you think about it, is it that much really? Make your car last a few years longer, and get this done instead? Or buy a cheaper 2nd/3rd hand car instead?

You'd be surprised who 'can afford them'. I have many 'ordinary' people asking to be referred for them now. Not big complex re-builds all the time. But if single teeth are lost, lots more people are choosing this way to replace them now.

thehappybutterfly

I would definitely think seriously about implants. The cost freaks me out but if i was in a situation where i didn't have debts (soon. Very soon!) I would go for them too. I wasn't criticising either the patient or the cost. If something's important enough it's worth paying for.