Dentist dilema

cancan

I have just had some treatment at my NHS dentist. I had an inlay/onlay done but really needed a root filling first. Dentist told me he couldn't do it as I can't keep my mouth open long enough and it won't open wide. I am now left with a very sensative tooth which aches every time I eat. I also need a filling at the back, again he told me he can't do it as he can't get at it. So what do I do? I would have thought he could have referred me to the hospital but there was no mention of that.
Has anyone else been in this position, I don't know what to do. I wish I could have them out and have false teeth but who would do that for me.

skezier

Hi cancan,
I don't know as I can help you but here we have a dentist hospital next to the main one and you can just walk in and maybe they could help? There must be away and please let me know as I find it very hard to keep my mouth open and it doesn't go wide enough either. Good luck and just see if there is a dental hospital near you. If not maybe an ent dept can help. Good luck and take care

joanlawson

I can't believe that a dentist would just leave you in such a situation with out telling you what to do ! There MUST be a way of fixing it. You can't be the only person in the world with this condition. I would go to see your GP and ask if you can be referred to a specialist at a hospital.
A doctor should be able to advise you, which is what the dentist should have done anyway! Don't just put up with it. Be persistent as it not accepable just to leave you in limbo. Good luck!
Joan

lindalegs

Hi Cancan,

I always have problems with my back teeth because I have restricted jaw opening.

Last year I had toothache with one of my wisdom teeth, my dentist did the best she could and suggested root canal treatment or extraction but she would refer me to the hospital for either as they're used to all sorts of problems. I opted for extraction because I decided that would be an end to it.

It did turn out to be more complicated in the end because of my limited opening and the tooth was attached to my jaw bone :shock: but they did do it and I was awake (wish I'd been asleep )

I suggest you make an appointment to see your dentist, again, and talk to him/her about going to the hospital - from what I understood they can put you to sleep and actually dislocate your jaw in order to get to the back of your mouth. This may not be possible because of the arthritis in your jaw but it needs to be talked about.

It's not fair that you should have this extra pain in your mouth as it takes the pleasure away from eating and we all enjoy that

Luv Legs

xxloulou

My dentist has always referred me on to dental surgeons in hospital as they can put you under to help relax your jaw so they can keep it open longer than you can!

Ask your dentist for a referral..... Good luck!

eckstardeluxe

As mentioned previously, ask for a referral to the Dental Hospital in your area. They usually take severe cases that your local Dentist cannot fix. They have much more staff and because most of them are teaching Hospitals it means you will get more time for your appointment. Meanwhile the best thing you can do for now is try to avoid chewing on the affected side. Do you have a toothpaste that is for sensitive teeth? Take a little knob of it and smear it on the sensitive tooth around the gum area, it works similarly to a product Dentist's use on patients called Duraphat. It will help with the sensitivity part. You can also purchase temporary fillings I believe at the chemist. It's like a putty you can put in the filling, it hardens slightly, very safe and will stop any food getting into the cavity and irritating it. It's a long time since I was a Dental Nurse but the Hospital used to still use GA as they employ anaesthetists, if they still practice this at the Hospital this might be an option for you. Good luck.

cancan

My tooth has settled down a bit now, not quite as sensative. I am just been very careful at the moment. It is went I get to bed it seems to start nagging me.
I have also managed to get another NHS dentist and I go for my initial appointment in March. I will see what their opinion is when they discover that I cannot open my mouth wide. I hope this one is a bit more forthcoming with suggestions and I will certaily ask about been referred to hospital if needed in future.
I also hope they they take note that I am on Methtrexate. My other dentist said "Metho what?" when I told him and just seemed to disregard it.

magenta

Hi Cancan,
That's awful-poor you If you can't open your jaw wide enough, you need to go to a hospital. Hope you get something sorted soon
Magenta x

nickynysmon08

one suggestion and I stand ready to be shot down on this, is to find a good private dentist. one way of mitigating the costs is to register through the dentist with denplan or similar. once you are with denplan the treatment will be rolls Royce, as they are obligated to provide good treatment for you by denplan. or lose cover.
it costs me just over 200 pounds a year, but is worth it. I am with a similar scheme. again if your tooth is not better it may be advisable as someone has said to be referred to hospital for more specialist treatment.
hope this helps,
Nick

p.s.
I sympathize with you. having experienced bad dentists who were a disgrace to the profession and should have been struck off, some were really very bad......

cancan wrote:

I have just had some treatment at my NHS dentist. I had an inlay/onlay done but really needed a root filling first. Dentist told me he couldn't do it as I can't keep my mouth open long enough and it won't open wide. I am now left with a very sensative tooth which aches every time I eat. I also need a filling at the back, again he told me he can't do it as he can't get at it. So what do I do? I would have thought he could have referred me to the hospital but there was no mention of that.
Has anyone else been in this position, I don't know what to do. I wish I could have them out and have false teeth but who would do that for me.

elnafinn

Bumped up for Sue - don't know if any of the info will help.

E x