NHS Dentistry - is this right?

linclass

I appologise for the lengthy message, but I need to explain all that's happened. Back in December 2017, I visited a Dental practice I haven't visited for a couple of years as I've lived outside of the area.

It was agreed I would have 4 teeth extracted and a partial 'immediate' denture fitted, under private treatment. The following day after the mould was taken, I phoned the dentist and confirmed I would like the NHS partial denture and see how I got on with that, as the cost of this would be £244 as opposed to £1,100 private, made with different materials, and if I couldn't manage then I would have the private denture.

This was eventually carried out towards the end of January this year. During one of the extractions, the Dentist managed to dislodge a crown at the front of my mouth. She cemented it back on and it looks awful - gappy at the top. Going back to when I had the mould taken, I was presented with a set of colour examples, to allow selection of the most suitable shade. Now it was January, the light was poor anyway and late in the afternoon. I had NO advice from this Dentist, all she would say is 'it's your choice' - 'it's your choice'. The colour match was extremeny wrong.

When I was leaving the surgery after extractions and the immediate denture in place, I asked this Dentist whether I would need to come back, to which she replied 'after 3 months when the jaw has settled'. The reason being, they might need 'relining' as the jaw changes shape to ensure a good fit. The following few days was of course, uncomfortable as I expected. I sent an email to the practice Manager with my concerns and the fact that the Dentist in question seemed a little nonchalant regarding my questions. A few days later (after I had to send a reminder email AND call the Surgery TWICE for a response) I was invited back to see that same Dentist to discuss.

On arrival, she mentioned that she had seen my email, and that she would have another partial denture made. I agreed to this. I had the first appointment Monday this week. The mould was taken again, I voiced my concerns that the crown would be dislodged by this procedure, but all she would say is 'there is no guarantees'. Luckilly, it wasn't dislodged, and when the treatment plan (blue paper, standard issue in the UK I think) was completed by the nurse and given me to sign, I was told to go along to reception and I can either pay half or the full £244.

Their plan was to Charge me AGAIN for this new partial Denture. I can absolutely confirm that AT NO TIME was it suggested I would pay these NHS charges AGAIN, as SHOULD have been pointed out at the time of that appointment after I sent that email. This first partial denture falls out. The jaw has obviously shrunk. I asked what could be done about this as I'm finding it difficult to eat as it's becoming dislodged, Answer: Absolutely Nothing!! She was so unhelpful, it's unbelievable. I have a further 3 appointments, 2 in June and the last in July, when the crown (and post which she had confirmed was weak) will be removed.

I'm frightened. One question I have is, do these procedures normally take this long? Had the first Denture worked out OK, the procedure would have taken almost 5 MONTHS (including the relining after jaw shrinkage). The result so far is, I strongly challenged the fact they tried to charge me AGAIN, and after a discussion in the corner confirmed I would have to pay the £59 I think it is, for the extraction but not the partial denture.

I'd like your thoughts on this please. I'll be honest, I will be seeking another dentist once this is dealt with and once the jaw has settled again, request a superior partial denture.

Saffythecat

I am not a dentist, but I enquired about a partial denture last year before having a tooth extracted. My dentist said not to even consider it until three to six months had passed, because the gum/jaw reshapes, and the denture wouldn!!!8217;t fit well and would have to be remade anyway. She said the immediate denture is just a !!!8220;guesstimate!!!8221; as to how it will fit. My tooth was a lower molar, not visible, so we have just left it for now. I assume yours was at the front? I!!!8217;m in Scotland where the fee system is different, but I would definitely have expected to pay for the replacement. I think that!!!8217;s probably not what you wanted to hear, sorry!

brook2jack

Dentures fitted immediately after having teeth out can only be best described as temporary. For most people their gums will shrink and the dentures will need relining , at additional cost, possibly several times and after three to six months there will need to be a new denture made again at additional cost.

Some people will then happily wear the same sets of dentures for many years, others will need new sets at regular intervals.

The transition to immediate dentures is very difficult because even the best fitting dentures move and need practice to get used to , and this is complicated by the healing process which means immediate dentures do not fit well.

There is very little the dentist can to during this extended process other than reline the dentures , at additional cost, and suggest denture fixative.

Dentures are not a replacement for teeth , we are not designed to wear great big bits of plastic , they are a substitute for no teeth. Wearing a denture is like riding a bike , it is a skill that needs to be learned , unfortunately the changes in fit with an immediate denture make this very difficult.

linclass

Saffythecat wrote: »

I am not a dentist, but I enquired about a partial denture last year before having a tooth extracted. My dentist said not to even consider it until three to six months had passed, because the gum/jaw reshapes, and the denture wouldn!!!8217;t fit well and would have to be remade anyway. She said the immediate denture is just a !!!8220;guesstimate!!!8221; as to how it will fit. My tooth was a lower molar, not visible, so we have just left it for now. I assume yours was at the front? I!!!8217;m in Scotland where the fee system is different, but I would definitely have expected to pay for the replacement. I think that!!!8217;s probably not what you wanted to hear, sorry!

Hello SaffyTheCat, thanks for your msg. Apart from the way I'd been treated, the gist of this is I WASN'T WARNED I would pay more - at any time. i was told at that follow up appt after the email, 'we'll make another set'; not and that will cost you another £244. No excuses, email would have been fine. She also at no time, mentioned that relining would cost either.

linclass

brook2jack wrote: »

Dentures fitted immediately after having teeth out can only be best described as temporary. For most people their gums will shrink and the dentures will need relining , at additional cost, possibly several times and after three to six months there will need to be a new denture made again at additional cost.

Some people will then happily wear the same sets of dentures for many years, others will need new sets at regular intervals.

The transition to immediate dentures is very difficult because even the best fitting dentures move and need practice to get used to , and this is complicated by the healing process which means immediate dentures do not fit well.

There is very little the dentist can to during this extended process other than reline the dentures , at additional cost, and suggest denture fixative.

Dentures are not a replacement for teeth , we are not designed to wear great big bits of plastic , they are a substitute for no teeth. Wearing a denture is like riding a bike , it is a skill that needs to be learned , unfortunately the changes in fit with an immediate denture make this very difficult.

That's another thing, brook2jack! This Dentist CONTRADICTED herself rather a lot of times, at all consultations! When I went back last Monday, I made sure I asked her 2/3 times the same question. Her bio on the practice website, states she's expert with Implants, with over 20 years experienced. Which amazes me more. I think what annoyed her was, at the start I changed my mind from having the Partial as a private patient to an NHS patient.