[Tauntesally]

Hi
I had some private cosmetic work done at an NHS dentist (crowns and vaneers). The temporary teeth were prepared and even though I had problems with temporary teeth, the final teeth were made, without any further temporary teeth being made. From the very first, I was experiencing discomfort and clicking with the permanent teeth. The dentist said there was nothing that could be done about the clicking and he could see no problem with the teeth and the discomfort would settle down. He moved to another practice four days after the work was completed. It has never settled down, in fact it is worse and now I have absesses developing in the teeth treated. At best, I am faced with a possible bill, double the cost of the original work, to cover both root canal work and if necessary new vaneers and crowns; at worst I could loose some of the teeth. No one in the practice wants to take responsibility for the work carried by the dentist unless I pay for it. HELP!!

[flossie]

I'd suggest you contact the state dental association and licensing body by letter. Send copies to the dentist who did the work AND the office where the work was done. Include copies of the bills you've paid, dates of appointments and what you discussed at each appointment, the estimates for the new work that has to be done and any x-rays you can get copies of. If you can, send the letter to the dental association and licensing body by registered mail as this should make them act on it more quickly.

Were x-rays taken before the original treatment was done? Unfortunately, sometimes when a lot of work has been done on a tooth the nerve can die and abscess but you need to find out whether there were any signs of infection before the original work was done. If there are no x-rays of record showing they were taken PRIOR to the original work it would be a case of malpractice. (Unless of course, you didn't want x-rays taken)

Good luck and please keep us posted regarding what happens.

[Tauntesally]

Thank you for gettng back, I really appreciate it.

Yes, x-rays were taken prior to the work being carried out and the dentist decided 'he could get away with it'. I feel so stupid, I should have asked what he meant and the implications... But I guess you have to be a dentist to know what questions to ask!
It all felt so wrong! The appointment had been rescheduled twice and although I questioned whether there would be enough time to do the work, I was assured there would be; I'd already had the teeth prepared and temporary teeth fitted, so I had no choice. I also knew he was leaving four days later. Rather than two hours as told, I was in the chair for over five hours. I was in shock. Moreover, when I had the temporary teeth removed, which tooth three hours of torture. I was in shock! I could neither feel anything or tell him what was good or bad. Thanks again.

[flossie]

Don't feel stupid at all, how were you to know? I hope you are still going to contact the licensing body or association.

[Tauntesally]

Thank you for your advice. Yes I intend to...