Replacement Crown on NHS

Guerillatoker

I suffered a broken front tooth a year or so ago after being punched while on a night out with friends (unprovoked, not that it is important, but wouldn't want you assuming I'm a thug!). I had emergency root canal treatment and had a temporary standard crown fitted (not one moulded from my bite, a "stock" tooth I guess you could say). I never returned to have my custom crown fitted as I simply couldn't afford the £200+ price and the temporary crown fit relatively well.

Recently the crown started to become loose and I could remove it, but luckily could still reattach it by just pushing it back in. This was fine until I sneezed yesterday and lost the crown in the process. While I'm hopeful I may still find it, as this happened in my home, its time to face the fact that it might be time to make the jump and pay for a true crown be fit... even if it will break the bank somewhat.

So, long story short, I was wondering two things:

1. I know cosmetic treatments are not available on the NHS but due to the type of tooth missing (left incisor) it is quite discomforting when eating or talking, plus the knock on my confidence from looking like a bad bare knuckle boxer. Would having a new crown fitted still be classed as cosmetic or can I get this on the NHS - or even free somehow?

2. Part of my previous broken tooth remains and has been shaped into the skeleton for the crown by the previous dentist. As I would only need a crown constructed and fit onto the already existing scaffold, would this still fall into a band 3 treatment?

Thank you for any help!

Guerillatoker

Also, on a side note, my work offers a dental insurance benefit that you must elect to be a part of. I have only just started a month ago and haven't had the chance to opt in. If I do so from next months pay, would it pose an issue if I claimed on the insurance straight after beginning the insurance plan?

Toothsmith

So do you still owe the first dentist money?

Has he had to fork out for getting a crown made that you didn't go back to get fitted?

If you've had a loose temporary crown for a while - then chances are that the root filling in the tooth has been ruined as well, and might need to be re-done. Or even the tooth extracted.

If I was the original dentist - I wouldn't touch you with a bargepole now.

If I was a new NHS dentist - I would be asking all sorts of questions about what happened beforehand.

A front crown is necessary - and would be available on the NHS if it can still be done, or you can find anybody willing to do it. As could the denture if you need the tooth taken out now. But full NHS fees would apply.

As for the insurance covering it - you'd need to look at the terms & conditions on qualifying periods or pre-existing treatments.

Has there been no compensation/criminal injuries for the original assult?