Removal of tooth roots left behind in the gum

richard_3095

Hi. I get NHS treatment at a BUPA dentistry.  I think I'm still registered, but last heard the guy that did NHS treatment left, so I'm not 100% sure I still have a dentist. But anyway, I have two teeth that have failed, but the roots are still in the gum. These tooth roots have not been removed, they have in fact been ignored.. But, is it not best practice that these tooth roots be removed to avoid possible complications?  Is the NHS obliged to remove these tooth roots on the grounds that it is neccesary to do so (unlike something of cosmetic importance?) Thanks. Rich

Toothsmith

If you're in England or Wales, no one has been 'registered' since 2006. 

Practices often try and keep seeing their regular patients, and if you've not been in for a while, telling you you're 'not registered anymore' is quite a straightforward way of telling you they can't see you on the NHS, even though it's not technically accurate.

if the teeth are causing you a problem, and the practice still has capacity to see NHS patients, then you might be lucky. If they don't see NHS patients now, then you'll either have to try and find somewhere else (good luck) or pay privately. 

It's not a bad idea to get them seen to if you've not had a check up for a while. It's possible they might be perfectly fine left alone, or it might be a good idea to have them taken out - but only a dentist who can see you could tell you that.