Q. I wonder if you could give me some advise please.I had a bridge that had bercome loose, when i visited my dentist he said that i could not have it re-cemented as the two teeth anchoring the bridge had worn away and the only solution was to extract the two teeth and then he would replace with a new bridge. I went ahead and had the teeth surgically removed. when i returned for him to check the stitches he informed me that i could not have a bridge as the gap was too large and the only option was to have dentures or costly implants. I now have nasty plastic dentures that are very uncomfortable i have a constant lisp and find them very diffiucult to eat with. Did he have the right to extract my teeth without giving me options? the extractd teeth were fine, i had no decay, they had just worn down to the gum so the bridge could not adhere. After some research i found out that i could have had them posted and crowned. he did not give me that option. On my return visits he keeps trying to convince me to have implants, i cannot afford to go dow that route (£6000) I feel he is purely profiteering.|I am so upset as they are my near front teeth and used to have a perfect smile. I am devastated and constantly have to cover my mouth if i laugh or smile. do i complain to him? do i have any rights? can you confirm that i could have had crowns? please can you advise. Thankyou.

A. In these situations you need to voice your concerns to your dentist.  He will have a complaints procedure and should be able to explain to you the reasons for the steps that he has taken

Dr Julian Caplan
Aviva Cosmetic Dentistry
Director on the board of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
www.avivacosmeticdentistry.co.uk
101 St. Peters Street
St. Albans Hertfordshire
AL1 3EN