Crowned molar came off issue - need advice

[Tabbyk123]

A bottom right molar for which I had a gold crown for over 15+ years came off about 2-3 weeks before Christmas 2023. It was quite damaged so I guessed I would need a new one made.

I didn't have a current dentist so scouted a local NHS one and nervously went for my appointment. All my other tooth were fine so the dentist said a new one would need to be made. I am a nervous patient but I coped ok. She said there was no decay, tooth was healthy, it had shifted a bit because I had a tooth pulled beside it about a year ago, but some minor infection on top that she removed. I was so anxious she was telling me stuff but I wasn't 100% listening, but said as the tooth was 'short' she didn't want to shave it too much otherwise I would need root canal. I was thinking why would I need root canal?.

Anyway she took the mould impressions and that was that. I was a bit frustrated it would take 2 weeks for the replacement as that would be days before Christmas.
2 weeks go by and I have my appointment to have the new crown fitted. She puts it in before cementing it and I can immediately feel that it is WAY too high (basically the crown is the only tooth touching the one above) when I bite down (the molars on opposite side do not make contact). I tell her/she sees this and says quite patronisingly 'this is normal, it will feel like a strawberry seed is between there but will settle down in a week or so' I tell her its really not comfortable but she seems to be quite defensive and repeats about the root canal option. She makes NO attempt to adjust the crown in anyway, which I've never had happen before.

I am not happy knowing this high crown will be problematic and basically ruin my Christmas. Long story short... it took 3 weeks for the high crown to settle down, during which time it was so horrible to eat anything, as basically just the high crowned tooth was hitting the top tooth if I tried to chew, so I was miserable.. also my jaw on that side started to ache. I already got jaw issues so this wasn't helping. Eventually by January the crown was at a 'normal' height and I was able to eat normally again.

Fast forward to a couple days ago, I am eating a crunchy baguette sandwich, and I couldn't believe it and was distraught to bite on something tough.. the crown had popped off!!! Basically less than 2 months in. I began crying as I thought I wouldn't need to see a dentist for another 5 months. I have dental anxiety and now this new problem. I have an appointment on Tuesday morning.

So, anyway, I see the crown, its quite short on the sides, but looks like the cement didn't spread to a part where i can see metal inside of it. In my mind, the crown was badly made to start with, but I also understand I have less tooth to work with. However, a crown was made and it seemed quite durable up until this point. My fear is that she will tell me that I need to get some kind of root canal/post made for a better crown (I can't cope with this idea) and has me worried sick.

I will tell her how I felt about the crown she fitted the discomfort and jaw pain. But my concern is that somewhere along the line the crown was badly made, so will it just happen again? Did she a) make bad impressions? b) did they make the moulds badly? c) Did the crown maker just make the crown so bad it was too high? All three?

Should I give it a 2nd chance at this NHS dentist or seek a private dentist to make a new crown? Would a private dentist use better materials/procedures to make a more accurate crown if I pay for it?

It seems every time I find a new NHS I find new problems. I can't afford private, but if it means the job being done right, rather than a shoddy NHS dentist being sloppy and my stress/anxiety being high, I would rather pay for peace of mind.

 

[Gordon]

I'm sorry you've had this experience. I can't really answer your questions without looking at the crown/you.

A private dentist would use more expensive materials, they would take longer to do the work and I'd expect it to be cosmetically better. Whether that would be "better" is open to debate.

First thing is to go back to the dentist and see what they say next I suggest.

 

[Tabbyk123]

OK. Thanks for responding. I'm stressing over it in that I'm both anxious and annoyed but my appointment is tomorrow to show them the crown that came off.

I want another crown made if this one cannot be re-cemented on. I do not want root canal on a healthy tooth that has no decay if this is what she suggests.

Also, last time she did not use a temporary crown, I did not ask as at the time I did not think of it.
It takes 2 weeks to make the crown - at the moment I am eating on the opposite side (last 5 days), but for another 2 weeks - I'm worried about the exposed tooth (it is just a shorter. rough feeling molar), I'm not in pain, but its sensitive to cold.

But the main thing is about ensuring it is a) made more correctly b) adjusted to feel comfortable this time, as I can't go through weeks of off bite again and jaw discomfort. How do I bring this up, without the dentist thinking I'm blaming them and getting defensive about it?

 

[Gordon]

Also, last time she did not use a temporary crown, I did not ask as at the time I did not think of it.
It takes 2 weeks to make the crown - at the moment I am eating on the opposite side (last 5 days), but for another 2 weeks - I'm worried about the exposed tooth (it is just a shorter. rough feeling molar), I'm not in pain, but its sensitive to cold.

Seems a bit odd not to make a temp. It won't do any real harm but as you say you've had 2 weeks of discomfort for nothing.

But the main thing is about ensuring it is a) made more correctly b) adjusted to feel comfortable this time, as I can't go through weeks of off bite again and jaw discomfort. How do I bring this up, without the dentist thinking I'm blaming them and getting defensive about it?

TBH you're not asking the most tactful man on the planet I'd probably come straight out with it...
I'm sure you can figure out something better than I could!