I have had a bridge fitted on my top teeth

Q. I have had a bridge fitted on my top teeth due to the lateral incisor being missing on one side. I am not happy with the results as the 3 teeth now look bulky, stick out too much and are not a good colour match. I have been back to my cosmetic dentist who has said that it was difficult due to limited space because my canine had moved across a little to compensate for the gap. She has offered to do it again using a porcelain only bridge for a better colour match (& apparently less bulky), but she has warned me that the extra grinding required might kill the tooth and it would then need root canal treatment. She has quoted me £300 extra for a new bridge (plus £150 per tooth for any root canal treatment needed). Do you think opting for an all porcelain bridge is the best option for me now? And do you think it is reasonable for my dentist to request more money when I am unhappy with the initail result? Also, what are the risks of having a dead tooth? My teeth are currently very healthy. Thank you.

A. I would need to see the teeth as they are now, the pretreatment casts/photos/XRays to let you know what the best option is and the risks.
Liability for extra costs depends on what was promised before you started. In context  £300 is less than the lab fee I pay my technician for a three unit all ceramic bridge, and I would be also be losing my overheads. However we spend a fair time and effort predicting the result to the patient before we start treatment.
Let me know how you get on

Dr Rob Tennet St Johns Dental Practice 18 Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham, B2 5QJ Web: www.e-dentalpractice.co.uk

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