I have had crap teeth all my life – genes not neglect- and finally decided to have the worst tooth replaced with an implant which I was promised would last 10 to 20 years [verbally not in writing].
Less than 3 years later the end of the tooth has broken off and the dentist is saying I will have to pay again to get it sorted. This originally cost as much as a decent bike so I am agrieved. NHS won’t do implants so I had to go to a private specialist. Am I being unreasonable to expect to get it fixed under warranty and what should I do about it?
Some cars seem to come with a longer warranty than my teeth.

depends if you got the warranty in writing but I suspect you’d have a good chance of getting it fixed if you threaten him with some sort of action (non violent that is!)

My brother-in-law is a consultant something-or-other and does a lot of work with implants.

He says 3 years sounds a very short lifespan, but there are many variables that can affect the longevity, for example;

1. It is properly placed with precision
2. The implant type is appropriate
3. Brand name implants are used (not clones)
4. The bone is healthy
5. Health is good
6. Patient has proper hygiene
7. Patient sees their dentist every 4 months for check up and cleaning
8. The crown is made properly and with precision
9. The abutment (that supports the crown) is custom

These are most of the very important factors in long term success.

However, he didn’t profer any advice about lodging a grievance against a specific dentist regarding their work.

Can you get a 2nd opinion on the quality of the original work and any comments on why the implant might have failed prematurely?

Thanks for that joao, certainly the points I have control over, 4,5,6,7, have all been done and the paper work seems to indicate that quality stuff was used so it’s down to the fitting and crown quality.
We are still verbally fencing so I will wait until I get a categorical refusal to a request in writing before I start down a more formal route. I have discovered there is an organisation you can complain to about private dentists but whether it is like the Press Complaints commission or really has teeth [sorry couldn’t resist] I dont know

Actually been to see dentist and it seems practise isnt owned by him.
He says the best I can do is contact the owner and ask for discount on making good work which will cost £1250! Apparently the actual crown is only guaranteed for a year!
So if tempted to go with implants read the small print very carefully.
They cant replace the crown without wrecking the next bit down hence vast cost.

3yrs you jammy so and so. i had a false tooth fitted ( right at the front) £450. it lasted 12 HOURS so went back with it was told ”we’ll try one more time, if this doesnt work it’ll be a minimum 1500 quid for a proper job” it lasted an hour. never even got to eat or drink with it simply fell out. contacted dentist.. ” sorry mate , but we can sort it for 1500 quid..”

FOG – similar happened to me with a front tooth implant (was badly fitted and the incorrect size).
Have paid £650 to sort it out.
As I understand it, the surgeon should have carried out all crown work and looking after my teeth before and after the implant work.
The dentist that took it upon himself to do the work that the surgeon should have done stopped practising a few years ago.

Would you let me know how you go on with complaining, as all this has left me with a deep distrust of dentists and a fear of visits?

try the british dental association?

Not to gloat but is there a place to praise dentists? After years of disliking the dentist because the slightest filling would hurt and I seemed to get no info about what was being done other than “you need this, £40 please” or “we need to replace these 4 fillings, £360 please” I’ve moved dentist. My new dentist managed to do a root canal without even a hint of pain, before or after, and match up my tooth profiles so I don’t notice any difference from the original tooth other than the lack of pain. I didn’t even feel the injections. And she explained every last thing she did, why she chose what materials, what the options were why she thought X or Y were the best way through things and even cancelled one of my filling appointments after closer inspection and deciding it wasn’t needed.

Seriously so happy I can’t explain. Sorry to the OP, not gloating, just an aptly timed post!

coffeeking – Member
Not to gloat but is there a place to praise dentists? After years of disliking the dentist because the slightest filling would hurt and I seemed to get no info about what was being done other than “you need this, £40 please” or “we need to replace these 4 fillings, £360 please” I’ve moved dentist. My new dentist managed to do a root canal without even a hint of pain, before or after, and match up my tooth profiles so I don’t notice any difference from the original tooth other than the lack of pain. I didn’t even feel the injections. And she explained every last thing she did, why she chose what materials, what the options were why she thought X or Y were the best way through things and even cancelled one of my filling appointments after closer inspection and deciding it wasn’t needed.

Seriously so happy I can’t explain. Sorry to the OP, not gloating, just an aptly timed post!

I had a similar experience going back to the dentist of years of not going, more or less due to bad experiences as a child. Had to get root treatment, 2 crowns and a filling in the back teeth, which was good as I thought I was losing them at the time, best thing I ever did, and can’t fault the dentist in anyway, feel like new teeth! 🙂

Should go for a check-up now you mention it..