Dentist, what would you do?

I would try superglue ! I am not sure if it would discolour in time but seriously I would give it a go
£85 seems a lot especially if it is only lasting for a few months. My dentist asked me if I have any elephants in the family - I presume he was talking about my teeth not my figure .

Don't take above advice! Never use superglue.
If you go back to the dentist and complain about the quality of the work I am sure they would redo it for you . If you are not satisfied you can complain to the General Dental Council (? You can find on google - the body which private dentists have to belong to) if you think the work / treatment unsatisfactory. A couple of years ago I paid £500 for some dental work which failed and I complained, got a refund, and went elsewhere and had it done properly.

All dentists have to belong to the GDC. Ring the dentist.

I'm mid way through a dental procedure. My (NHS) dentist talked me through the process, explained the risks attached, gave me his opinion illustrated by x-ray pictures then gave me time to think. As we're in stage one there is a temporary covering, I am instructed to return immediately if it detaches before the next appointment. I was also told the expected life of the finished article and it was made clear if it failed it would be replaced. All highly professional. In your situation think I would be asking for remedial work at no charge and perhaps querying the suitability of the filling as this is a recurrent problem. Better to take action than get cross about it, the worst they can say is 'no'. Hope it works out for you, it's upsetting as well as frustrating.

I phoned today. He is away till Monday, so I will try again.
Thanks for your supportive comments, I will let you know what happens.

Hi, an update. You were all right. The tooth was repaired at no charge. I really did not think this would happen. Whew!
If the filling falls out again, I shall need a crown.
So no bottle opening or cracking nuts from now on. I shall even start dunking my biscuits!
Is a crown the same as a veneer?

Glad you're sorted, mrsmopp.
Veneers are not the same as crowns. They are a porcelain (or sometimes composite) facing which covers the front of your tooth and is bonded onto it.
if you have a crown, the dentist will prepare your tooth so that there is just a stump remaining. Then the crown fits over that.
Your dentist will advise you which is the best for you, if you need it.

Mid way through the process now mrs mopp, I'm a real wimp in the dental chair but there's nothing to worry about if you do need a crown. All painless and every step explained. Pleased all is good for now.