Why did my Denplan dentist not inform me about abscess? What should I do?

Q.
Hi
Could I have some advice please? I have been a Denplan member for approx 20 yrs and about 12 yrs ago had a lot of crowns fitted. I am mainly happy with my dentist, albeit he is v busy and its hard to get appts and a personal service lately.He is often stressed. My question is that I felt that I wanted a 2nd opinion on a cosmetic filling that keeps coming out every 2-3 months or less which my dentist regularly replaces. My dentist informs me its because I grind my teeth. Also I had a abscess under a large crown which my dentist gave me anti-biotics for which helped although it hasnt gone completely. 

I went to a private dentist to see if they could suggest a filling that wouldnt come out so regularly, he photographed/x-rayed my teeth and said that I still had the abscess under the large crown on the bottom which he says needed a root filling and also discovered I had a large abscess under a crown on the top which was leaking. I have felt slight pain in this area ever since I had the crown fitted (12 yrs ago) but my dentist said it would settle down. He has quoted me a price for the work. I feel confused as to why my denplan dentist hasnt dealt with the abscess on the top and have lost some confidence in him. I dont feel I can afford private treatment all the time and as I have been paying into the denplan scheme for a long time I feel I have invested a lot in it which should cover me. I now have a dilemma as to whether I should let the private dentist do the work that he has uncovered or risk offending my dentist by asking him about the treatment the private dentist recommended. I am also concerned that if I use the private treatment my dentist will ask me to leave Denplan or refuse to keep me as a patient. I am also concerned as to what happens if an abscess is left untreated under a tooth for so long as has happened with the top tooth. I am really conflicted about what to do and would really appreciate some impartial advice please. Sorry for length of e-mail.
KInd regards.

A.
Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your email. It sounds like you need some urgent treatment on the teeth with the abscesses and I suppose your health shoulkd take priority. You shoukd be entitled to have any treatment needed under your Denplan scheme so I suppose you should get awritten report and treatment plan from the private dentist and ask your Denplan dentist about it. Note, sometimes root canal treatment should be referred to a specialist (an endodontist) and this may not be covered in your Denplan scheme.

I would try that first and see what kind of response you get. You can always ask Denplan for advice too. If you have lost total confidence in the dentist you have been seeing for many years it may be wisest to change and commit to investing in very high quality private care.

I hope that helps?

Best of luck with everything

Mark

Dr Mark Hughes Harley Street Dental Studio 52 Harley Street, London W1G 9PY Web: www.harleystreetdentalstudio.com Tel: 020 7636 5981 View My Profile Dr Hughes
January 4th, 2013 at 08:47 PM
ceri Says :

Thank you so very much Mark for your prompt and helpful reply.
Very much appreciated.
Kind regards

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