non-injury dental implant at 18?

[SusanB]

What is the name of your state? FL

My 18 yr old recently had pan xrays taken due to wisdom teeth that are ready to come out. Those xrays indicated that she has a front tooth with no root and is now faced with getting an implant (over $5,000).

We do believe this was caused by the orthodontist office who has not been cooperative in providing her pan xrays taken during her treatment in 2002-2003. One appointment in particular that she had during her treatment the office staff put on the wrong braces, had to take them off, and put others on and she ended up being at the appointment for practically an entire day, leaving with a very sore mouth. She has had problems with this tooth, feeling that it is loose, since her braces were taken off. At that time the office staff said this is normal and since we did not know any better we did not question it.

When this problem was recently discovered by the regular dentist, he realized that the orthodontist never forwarded the xrays taken after the treatment to them which is normally done and asked that we get them. He also thought it unusual that the orthodontist would not have pointed it out. He also stated that he has seen some bad work from this particular orthodontist and indicated that if they 'messed' with the tooth to much it would cause this. After several requests to the orthodontist they did provide the xrays taken after the treatment. We are still trying to get the xrays that were taken prior to the treatment.

If the xrays that were taken prior to the treatment show there was a normal root on the tooth, which we expect, and no root after the treatment would we have a chance to win in court for the orthodontist to cover the implant costs?

Thank you in advance for any advice/info anyone may have on this type of problem.What is the name of your state?

 

[ecmst12]

An expert would have to review ALL her treatment records from the orthodontist in order to determine whether her treatment was below the standard of care and caused the root to die.

However, it is normal for teeth to be a little loose after braces come off, I got mine off more then a month ago and they're still a little wiggly. It's also normal to have a sore mouth after getting braces put on, and just having the wrong braces put on, removed, and then replaced with the correct ones shouldn't cause damage in itself, they are designed to be removable!

 

[SusanB]

Thank you for the response.

It is truly appreciated!

 

[barry1817]

ortho problem

What is the name of your state? FL

My 18 yr old recently had pan xrays taken due to wisdom teeth that are ready to come out. Those xrays indicated that she has a front tooth with no root and is now faced with getting an implant (over $5,000).

We do believe this was caused by the orthodontist office who has not been cooperative in providing her pan xrays taken during her treatment in 2002-2003. One appointment in particular that she had during her treatment the office staff put on the wrong braces, had to take them off, and put others on and she ended up being at the appointment for practically an entire day, leaving with a very sore mouth. She has had problems with this tooth, feeling that it is loose, since her braces were taken off. At that time the office staff said this is normal and since we did not know any better we did not question it.

When this problem was recently discovered by the regular dentist, he realized that the orthodontist never forwarded the xrays taken after the treatment to them which is normally done and asked that we get them. He also thought it unusual that the orthodontist would not have pointed it out. He also stated that he has seen some bad work from this particular orthodontist and indicated that if they 'messed' with the tooth to much it would cause this. After several requests to the orthodontist they did provide the xrays taken after the treatment. We are still trying to get the xrays that were taken prior to the treatment.

If the xrays that were taken prior to the treatment show there was a normal root on the tooth, which we expect, and no root after the treatment would we have a chance to win in court for the orthodontist to cover the implant costs?

Thank you in advance for any advice/info anyone may have on this type of problem.What is the name of your state?

You are so correct about the need for the pre treatment x-rays to determine what has happened.

If there was no root to this tooth, it would have made no sense to move it.

But if you speak to orthodontics you should find that they will state that if a tooth is moved too quickly that problems can occur. Problems occurring over a long period of time--the ortho tretament-should be noticeable and when problems arise, they should have been noted and corrections done to resolve the problem.

Not having the x-rays pre-treatment would be considered a negligence issue, and the failure to provide x-rays if taken, could be construed as an attempt to alter the patient records. There are provisions that attempts to alter patient records with intent to deceive, is a serious violation of the dental practice acts.

This seems to be serious and you will need all copies of x-rays and charts and an evaluation. Seems like where you are a consult with an attorney would seem appropriate.

Would be happy to further discuss this off this site and feel free to contact me directly.

Barry1817@aol.com