Q.
Dear Dr Tenet Veneer treatments query Around the age of 10, my daughter had one of her teeth knocked out during an incident at an after school club. After several years of painful and uncomfortable treatments, she was considered viable for a more permanent solution almost 3 years ago. She had the damaged front tooth capped and the adjacent one matched with a porcelain veneer (cost £600, I was given a partial discount as she was a child) as well as fitted for a good gum shield for the sports she participated in at the time. This seemed to be the best long-term option for her, as opposed to what was available on the NHS, as I was advised that with the appropriate care of her teeth, she could expect up to 15 years, before further work would be required. This I felt would prevent further upsetting frequent work and restore her confidence for the future career in music and drama she wished to pursue. Now 17 ½, the veneered tooth has come off. This is the fourth time this has happened, the last time was around 15 months ago, when she was told categorically it should not happen again, and should present no further problems for 10+ years. There have been no problems at all with the capped tooth. Unfortunately, she is no longer registered with the same dental practice nor eligible for NHS care as she is almost 18, has left school before starting a university course in September (We live in Edinburgh). Any advice you can give me before we approach the dentist who did the work tomorrow, would be very helpful. She is very upset as she has always been exceptionally careful with her teeth and dental hygiene. I am concerned: he will not resolve the issue; charge a lot of money to fix it, which neither of us can afford; or we will be forced to get a less visually satisfactory cheaper nhs-subsidised option. Should the work be guaranteed, and if so for how long? Thank you in anticipation ~ Ruth Hughes