topic Re: Advice needed! in Wellness

Advice needed!

this is my nic — Thu, 16 May 2019 02:56:59 GMT

I need advice and I know I've come to the right place!

DH had a regular dental checkup. During that exam, the dentist said an old filling needed to be removed and a new filling put in. So, DH went and had the procedure done. Within a couple days he started complaining about discomfort in that tooth. He went back to the same dentist and was told that there was a "high spot" in the filling and was causing discomfort when chewing because it was hitting the lower tooth. The high spot was ground down. A day or so later, DH, who never complains of pain, said the tooth that was filled was hurting. This was Thursday evening, he called the dental office on Friday morning and discovered they don't work on Friday. So he spent the weekend in pain. Finally was seen today by a different dentist and was given the bad news. DH needed a root canal or have the tooth exracted; he chose extraction. So, he went in for a checkup, had no problem, then after being treated, he is missing a tooth. I say he should have had all fees refunded. He's become non confrontational, and just wants to forget this. This dentist is inept and should not be paid! Of course, he won't go to that practice again.

Would you pursue regarding a refund, let it go, and/or file a complaint with the state dental board?

Re: Advice needed!

on the bay — Thu, 16 May 2019 03:38:40 GMT

@this is my nic -

That does sound like not very thorough dental work.

I would ask if an x-ray was taken. It should have been. If it was, it seems the dentist should have seen the tooth needed a root canal. I would ask him why it wasn't done and tell him what had to be done and that your dh lost a tooth.

I would ask for a refund for correct work not done and because of the expense and time of going to a second dentist.

If he refuses and depending on his answer, I would let him know I would be making a complaint to the state dental board.

I might also dispute the charge with my credit card company.

Your dh sounds as if he just wants to forget it and move on. I can understand that too because people react to difficult situations in different ways.

I would feel the same as you.

Re: Advice needed!

ECBG — Thu, 16 May 2019 03:42:24 GMT

I completely agree with @on the bay . Don't let any extra time pass before calling dentist.number one.

Re: Advice needed!

BeccaLou — Thu, 16 May 2019 03:44:13 GMT

I went to a quack that suggested that to me. The teeth are old and can't with stand that kind of torcher. Quack, Quack, and Double Quack ! I think that Dentist needs to be sued. And fortunately I didn't do it and also changed Dentist. I don't trust dentists any longer. Especially since I no longer have dental payment help. The Dentist kept saying ," Oh you needs this done, and oh you need this done. And I tried to explain I have no dental help any longer and he got lippy and said "Well You stil l need it Done"I never went back.

Re: Advice needed!

Scooby Doo — Thu, 16 May 2019 04:17:12 GMT

Unfortunately this happens fairly often. The dentist should have warned him up front. Mine does. Each time a tooth is drilled on it is "insulted". If it's a big filling it's more at risk. The tooth may not recover from the insult and it says, hey, I'm outta here. Then you do a root canal and a crown, or pull it. You just don't know how the tooth will react before hand, but if it's a big filling it probably will die. It's happened to me. Doesn't mean that the dentist is inept. And a claim with the dental board is not in order.

I don't let the dentist change out my fillings unless there's decay or a crack underneath.

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-root-canals#1

Re: Advice needed!

NYCLatinaMe — Thu, 16 May 2019 04:00:52 GMT

I would seek reimbursement for your out of pocket cost of the first procedure. Are they both in the same practice? that would make it easier

Re: Advice needed!

SouthernBee — Thu, 16 May 2019 04:05:54 GMT

aa@this is my nic : If you have dental insurance contact them. They can do a follow up with the dentist and refuse to pay.

Last July , I had a sleep apnea test done. I was never told the results and my primary care doctor that did the referral was told waiting for results to be signed. After 6 months , I called my health insurance and they said they just received a claim. They called that office while I was on the phone and of course they promised the results the next week. Never happened . Insurance reported the doctor and denied all claims that they kept sending. It’s a hassle but need to follow up on any health procedures or problems. Southern Bee

Re: Advice needed!

BirkiLady — Thu, 16 May 2019 04:44:06 GMT

@this is my nic File a dispute with your credit card (if that how it was paid) for the wrong filing. Was you husband able to look at the xrays prior to having that filling done? My DDS always shows me the problem area. I approve the work to be done after seeing the issue on the xrays.

Since your husband chose to have the tooth removed, he is liable for that expense. Keep quiet. He's satisfied with the results and doesn't want to create a big deal. I agree with him on the second part.

Granted, the filling isn't expensive. However, I would pursue a refund through the dispute process on your credit card. It works very well. I have used it only once, but it works well.

Re: Advice needed!

hckynut — Thu, 16 May 2019 06:28:12 GMT

@this is my nic

Not advice, just how I would handle this. I am one that lets very little slide, but. If my dentist did not do the necessary tests to make a diagnosis, and I let him do the work anyway? That's on me, and I would "let it go".

hckynut

Re: Advice needed!

Kachina624 — Thu, 16 May 2019 06:56:33 GMT

I have had extensive work done on every tooth in my mouth; I inherited terrible teeth. I've gone to 3 dentists over the years, all of whom I had complete confidence in. On a couple of occasions, I've had a tooth refilled with the hope I could avoid the expense of a root canal. It often doesn't work out and the root canal becomes necessary. I think this situation is fairly routine and certainly is not a case of mal-practice on the part of the dentist. The idea of suing him or filing a formal complaint never entered my head. I was under the assumption we were working as a team to give me the best care at the least cost.

If you feel you are owed a refund, I'd sit down and have a chat with the dentist and hear his side of the story.

Re: Advice needed!

FranandZoe — Thu, 16 May 2019 09:34:44 GMT

Even if the first dentist wasn't at fault it's a shame it was done when your husband wasn't having any trouble with the tooth in the first place.

Re: Advice needed!

Pook — Thu, 16 May 2019 10:22:23 GMT

@this is my nic I wouldn't fault the dentist especially if your DH approved the procedure. Often when I have had dental work done with a deep filling I have had pain for a few days to a couple of weeks and thought for sure I would need a root canal. My dentist always tells me to wait a few weeks unless the pain is unbearable and it becomes obvious that the nerve was compromised and after a few days or a week or so all is fine.

Re: Advice needed!

drizzellla — Thu, 16 May 2019 11:50:45 GMT

@Scooby Doo wrote:
Unfortunately this happens fairly often. The dentist should have warned him up front. Mine does. Each time a tooth is drilled on it is "insulted". If it's a big filling it's more at risk. The tooth may not recover from the insult and it says, hey, I'm outta here. Then you do a root canal and a crown, or pull it. You just don't know how the tooth will react before hand, but if it's a big filling it probably will die. It's happened to me. Doesn't mean that the dentist is inept. And a claim with the dental board is not in order.
I don't let the dentist change out my fillings unless there's decay or a crack underneath.

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-root-canals#1

I also have had that happen several times. I have had a number of root canals and that is the reason.

I think if you talk to the Dentist, he will be able to show why he recommended that root canal or extracation of the tooth. Please talk to the Dentist and hear what he has to say. He probably has the Xrays to show you or the filling was becoming loose. And if the filling is loose decay can start to build below the filling.

Re: Advice needed!

AuntG — Thu, 16 May 2019 11:58:35 GMT

I'd drop it. There are unknowns when working on already diseased teeth. Unless you think he deliberately did this.

Re: Advice needed!

cherry — Thu, 16 May 2019 12:15:59 GMT

I had a crown that broke after about 1 yr. My DDS saw it and said I guarantee my work and he replaced it for free. I never said a word to him. He saw it and decided that it shouldn't have happened

He is a wonderful man. I think the lab might have sent a defective crown..he told me all it would cost me was my time..I am so lucky to have him, he is a fine DDS ,and a all around nice guy

Re: Advice needed!

mimomof4 — Thu, 16 May 2019 13:07:07 GMT

I would fight any charges. There is NO way you should be paying for all of those services.

Re: Advice needed!

PilatesLover — Thu, 16 May 2019 14:09:12 GMT

The original procedure sounds like a BS recommendation for a tooth that didn't need it. Irreputable dentists are notorious for saying you need a procedure and it's a sham.

If it were me I'd take him to small claims court if he won't cooperate, or report him to the state dental board. Small claims is much easier, you can do that yourself. If you want to do it research on your state's judicial branch website.

Re: Advice needed!

SeaMaiden — Thu, 16 May 2019 15:52:02 GMT

@this is my nic It is just the chance you take with dental care. You can not sue them or get your money back... I have had a mouthful of issues after work done... anytime you do drilling... new cavities... new fillings.... crowns..... things can go wrong or they just progress to the next phase.. the final phase death of a tooth. Then if you are lucky you can have a root canal at least.

I had most of my fillings replaced or had crowns( I have mouthful) eventually a crown will turn into a dying tooth thus a root canal. (A dead tooth "SAVED" that you can chew on at least instead of having no tooth at all.) I have about 6 root canals... all teeth that had started out as replaced fillings or crowns..... Some teeth died withing a month of a crown or filling replacement.... some teeth lasted years before needing to have a root canal. You never know.