Can't believe I have another question

AlasAnAlias

Hi everyone, unexpectedly I'm back! Had written recently whether a newly diagnosed case of moderate/severe MIH could be treated publicly, and timely. The end of that story was that the public/private treatment plans were the same and the 7 yr old started public treatment. Unfortunately, there was difficulty with the anaesthetic for the filling and the child ended up traumatised after it, refusing to leave the house etc. Rather than messing around with another public dental consult/treatment, we opted back into private care. Thanks for the previous replies.

So here's my next question for myself, and one I really don't want to be asking. A few weeks ago I went for a scale and polish, having last been less than 6 months ago, and having had a normal dental check at the appointment. We used to go to a practice for a decade that was €95 for a S&P, so at €800/yr (including parking) we changed 18 months ago to another large practice for exactly half the cost, on the recommendation of a sibling. The hygiene visits are done by a dentist and we would give 10/10, and have recommended the practice ourselves. Absolutely brilliant. Then it all went wrong.

At that above appointment, I arrived painfree and have been in considerable pain since. I had thought it was just a very thorough cleaning when I was leaving the offfice, but the sensitivity to hot and cold within the next few hours was extreme. I gave it 2 days and called the office. When I did get to speak to the dentist, a week later, the relationship deteriorated in a nanosecond. They mistook "(bottom) middle (tooth)" for "molar" and told me I needed an old filling re-done. Then, when I told them again the correct tooth, they told me it was my front porcelain crown above, causing the problem below. Bottom line = they had never had a complaint in xx years; the "laser" cleaning had nothing to do with it and that I must have already had the pain. This is ridiculous. I understand things can go wrong (thou I had no idea this could happen/be set-off), and that it's a natural reaction to be defensive - but to blame the patient and offer no insight, diagnosis or treatment is (IMO) unfair and unhelpful.

After asking to have something done I was offered an appointment for review and X-Ray but was away the next day. Am now back from a Solpadeine assisted holiday, in so much pain, right through my chin, can still not eat hot food and dreading going back because it's been made clearer-than-crystal that there is no responsibility here at the dental practice. Obviously, treatment depends on the diagnosis. Am I liable for the consult and X-ray costs? And any treatment that is deemed to have been caused by the cleaning? Do I have to have it done at the current practice to have it paid for, if they do end up thinking it is related?? I am wishing this away, it's agony, I just want the tooth out. Why me??!! Thank you.

Dianthus

What date did you have the cleaning done?

For now, what is more important, relieving the pain or apportioning blame?

helimachoptor

Dianthus wrote: »

What date did you have the cleaning done?

For now, what is more important, relieving the pain or apportioning blame?

Agreed, sort out the pain everything else is secondary

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Cleanings dont cause long term pain, (don't know what laser cleaning is?), you may have had something set off by the cleaning that was already there. This is not the fault of the dentist and you will be liable for any additional costs.

Think of it this way, if a sponge took the paint off your car while washing it there was a problem with the paint not the sponge and I don't think the valleter would be paying for your faulty paintwork to be fixed, all they did was wash it in the normal way that causes no problems for healthy paintwork....sorry for the stretched analogy but thats the facts.

Again people (not OP but generally here) stop changing dentist to whoever is the cheapest around, having a dentist that knows your teeth will mean less fillings in the long run and they know you and the fact you know them makes things a lot easier. Cheaper in the long run.

AlasAnAlias

Thanks to the three of you for replying. I know it was the most excruciating post ever to read on Boards - a very round-about way of subverting the forum charter and asking "Could a scale and polish cause complications in a previously (apparently) healthy tooth?" (!). I couldn't find an answer on-line.

Dianthus - I'm not looking to blame anyone, as I said I know these things happen. As a lay-person in dentistry, I was asking a genuine question because I honestly didn't know if I would be responsible for the cost if this procedure caused it in a healthy tooth. Given what the cost could be, I thought it was a fair question. Thanks again.

Fitzgeme - yes, absolutely I do agree the tooth may just have been susceptible. I did think of this but asked the question (explained in the line above) because I had no pain or sensitivity ever, and I walked out in real pain. That's a fact. My analogy was having fallen off a bike and being told the broken arm was unrelated to the fall. I'll go with your expert analogy! I think the cleaning system used is 'Prophyjet'. I guess this is what was meant by "laser". I don't know. Re switching for cost - in my defense (again!!), it took two years of badgering from a sibling to go to their recommended dentist for a S&P. It was no different (I still think) from the previous hygienist and we've all been several times now. So I felt I was switching like for like, at half the cost and double the convenience location wise. That's a significant cost given the (increasing) number of us. Based on the replies I'm gonna go straight back to my original practice with my tail between my legs. Finally, I'd like to say when I picked this practice around 12 years ago, the only criteria was "it has to be the best". Thanks again also. Appreciate your time to explain.

Dianthus

Let us know how you get on, the main thing is that the pain is sorted