Implant check-up

Banbh

Very happy with my implants that I got from a clinic in Dublin a couple of years ago but... when I rang for my check-up the other day I was told that I would need to make two appointments - one for a dentist and one for a hygienist. To add insult to injury the two appointments could not be arranged on the same day and I live 300km away. There was a basic charge of 75 euro for each appointment plus charges for 'any product that might be used'.

Suspecting a sales pitch, I inquired about just seeing the surgeon who did the implants and was told that he is no longer with the practice.

I will ring again and try and make an appointment for my regular check-up but if I get any more sales talk I intend telling them I am moving to a dentist nearer home and can I please have all my files.

Anyone know what the legal position is regarding moving dentists? I assume a new dentist would want to know what work was done and see my records.

Your advice is appreciated.

Oral Surgeon

You could ask or google where the implant guy has moved to and go there...

You are entitled to a copy for your records if you request them. The clinic is entitled to ask for about €6 for the cost of printing and sending them if they want....

Banbh wrote: »

Very happy with my implants that I got from a clinic in Dublin a couple of years ago but... when I rang for my check-up the other day I was told that I would need to make two appointments - one for a dentist and one for a hygienist. To add insult to injury the two appointments could not be arranged on the same day and I live 300km away. There was a basic charge of 75 euro for each appointment plus charges for 'any product that might be used'.

Suspecting a sales pitch, I inquired about just seeing the surgeon who did the implants and was told that he is no longer with the practice.

I will ring again and try and make an appointment for my regular check-up but if I get any more sales talk I intend telling them I am moving to a dentist nearer home and can I please have all my files.

Anyone know what the legal position is regarding moving dentists? I assume a new dentist would want to know what work was done and see my records.

Your advice is appreciated.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

An implant is nothing special these days, any dentist can do the check up for you. 300km is too far away for access to dental treatment. You need to form a relationship with somebody closer that will see at the drop of a hat if you ever fell and lost a front tooth.

Banbh

Thanks for replies. I think I will seek out a dentist nearer home and take it from there.

davo10

Banbh wrote: »

Thanks for replies. I think I will seek out a dentist nearer home and take it from there.

Firstly it is not unusual for a dentist to examine your teeth and a hygienist to clean them, you could just call them again and ask for the first available date when you can see both consecutively. I'm sure fitzgeme and OS know that cleaning around an implant with an ultrasonic is different from cleaning around a natural tooth, plastic tip guards are used. Hygienists who work in implant clinics are well trained in this and know how not to damage subgingival implant surfaces.

Secondly, it would be wrong to assume that all dentists are capable of identifying issues with implants, though they are becoming more and more popular, not all are savvy in what problems to look for, if there is an issue, your local dentist may not pick it up.

Thirdly, most clinics advise patients that when they have implants, they need to return periodically to have them checked, if you don't then any issues that go undiagnosed and untreated because the patient did not return for regular assessment will be the fault of the patient.

If you apply for your records as advised above and inform the clinic that you are going elsewhere, the copies will usually be accompanied with a letter saying that the clinic will no longer be responsible for any issues which occur in the future, the clinic will just note that at your last visit, everything was OK.

Banbh

I see from the documents I received at the time of the implants that they request a check-up by their dentist every six months and one by their hygienist every three to six months. That would amount to €300-450 a year plus a charge for any products used.

It would be wise for anyone considering implants to check this out beforehand. Personally I think this is sharp practice.

davo10

Banbh wrote: »

I see from the documents I received at the time of the implants that they request a check-up by their dentist every six months and one by their hygienist every three to six months. That would amount to €300-450 a year plus a charge for any products used.

It would be wise for anyone considering implants to check this out beforehand. Personally I think this is sharp practice.

They are requests, not requirements, all implant clinics request that you return for period examinations, you have spent a lot of time and money having the implant put in, it's prudent to have it checked. If you don't want to go, don't go, just don't complain later if problems occur.

There is no obligation, just phone and tell them that you are not interested in returning for assessments.

Banbh

And now I do regret me of my folly, as the Bard said, in having the work done in Ireland with its culture of take and take again. Thanks for replies.

davo10

Banbh wrote: »

And now I do regret me of my folly, as the Bard said, in having the work done in Ireland with its culture of take and take again. Thanks for replies.

Implants are not routine dentistry, the patient invests a lot of time, money and effort in having them. It should come as no surprise that clinics everywhere, even those abroad, advise that you return for periodic assessments to ensure that the implant sites remain healthy. All clinics advise this, they do not require that you return, but they do advise it.

Your implant is fine ( you don't mention any problems), if you think that the clinic wanting to check that it's ok and to make sure your oral hygiene is up to scratch (implants will not decay but periimplantitis can lead to loss) is sharp practice, don't go, your choice.

Do you consider a request that you get your get your implants/teeth checked and cleaned to remove bacterial plaque "sales talk"?, I would have thought it was good advice, or at least protecting your considerable investment.

Dianthus

Banbh wrote: »

I see from the documents I received at the time of the implants that they request a check-up by their dentist every six months and one by their hygienist every three to six months. That would amount to €300-450 a year plus a charge for any products used.
It would be wise for anyone considering implants to check this out beforehand. Personally I think this is sharp practice.

Outside of the fees involved, this recommendation would be deemed by both dental regulatory bodies& indemnity organisations alike, both here& abroad, to be in fact BEST practice, the absolute gold standard of treatment& patient care.
Where& who with& how often you want to have your implant monitered by is down to yourself after that. Ensure your daily oral hygiene regime is optimal,& you have a record of your implant details (manufacturer, type, length, width, ect- this should be documented in your old dentists' notes in any case, of which you can request a copy)

btkm8unsl0w5r4

All my referred implants patients return to me periodically for checkups, however I do not clean their teeth. I ask they return to their own local dentist for routien dental work. so once a year or every 18 months I check the implant. Cost 30 euro for a check and X-ray (and just the opportunity to listen to my jokes is worth that fee).

Unless your implants have severe problems with exposed implant surface accessible in the mouth, hygienists and dentists will know not to attack them with metal instruments. You should ask the clinic to write to your local dentist and tell them what the implant is, is there are any issues with it, and how to maintain it.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have a relationship with a good local dentist, the value of this is only seen when you have a real urgent problem.