Dentist tells me that my teeth will eventually need root canals? Read details I need to know if i have a case?

Question

I am 18 years old. I have been "diagnosed" for grinding my teeth at night. This is the 3rd maybe 4th time I have had coverings put over my molars to fill in the hole that I make over night. I have been going to the same office, but it a few years ago a new dentist came in and the old one left. There was a new medical assistant maybe student dentist. She told me today that my molars are so bad and the holes are so deep that will eventually have to get root canal on all the teeth they fill the holes over(they arent fillings for cavities). They are now prescribing me a "night guard". I am not sure if i heard them right but its going to cost $400. I am wondering why it took them this long to prescribe me a night guard that i have to get fitted for. I have been going to every one of my 6 month checkups. I dont think it is right for them to tell me this now. Why did they take this long to actually do anything about it. Do I have a case, or is there anything I can do about this.

I would have done something sooner, but I was young. At the age 11, 12 I didnt know any better.

Answer 1

Be happy that they are helping you now. They probably had a reason for not getting you a night guard sooner. Maybe the old dentist didn't know much about them or didn't believe it would work with you. Since he was your dentist for so long he probably knows a little more about you than the new guy.

Why would you be so quick to sue? what would you hope to gain from it? Are you looking for a way to make some money, it won't work. American courts are sick of these frivolous lawsuits and there was no injury to you so you can forget about pain and suffering. you will spend more on an attorney and at best you would get a free night guard. If you want to act like an adult learn to work out your problems without using the courts. Or on second had go ahead and spend $10,000 on a lawyer (if you can find one that would take your case) and get your free mouth guard, then good luck finding a dentist in town that will take you.

Answer 2

sorry you dont have a case. As an adult you are supposed to think and do for yourself. Cheap night guards are available everywhere from pharmacies to sporting goods store. While it's regrettable your old dentist didn't recommend it early in your treatment - it's not a crime. Also - I dont see why you would need a root canal for grinding your teeth to death. The only reason you would need a root canal is if the root is causing you pain. OTherwis they could just crown it. Either way theyre both terrible procedures. Since this seems to be an ongoing and big issue in your life I suggest you do some reading so you know what youre dealing with instead of relying on others

Answer 3

Before you ask what you can do to them as a means of revenge, first get your diagnosis and prognosis in writing - I mean that you're going to need multiple RCT eventually. Try to get in writing the reason (you grind your teeth) and how long this current treatment of coverings has gone on. You know, what steps have been taken to prevent tooth damage and the results of those steps.

Next try asking the dentist (not the dental assistant) why it took so long for a night guard to be prescribed. Bring in one of your parents, like your father. And you can both ask. Find out if the night guard is likely to have prevented the existing damage. Just be sure to get answers and write them down while you're there.

If you can't get any satisfaction this way, let your parents handle it.

Answer 4

this night guard may be new technology. the old doctor may not have been up on this guard.
the old dr may not have thought it would be right for you.

medicine is a practice.
you kept going to the same dentist and accepted what they were telling you. did you ever ask if there was anything you could do to prevent the grinding?

basically, there is no case and you should get the night guard a be glad that you finally have a dentist that maybe knows what they are talking about.

Answer 5

You deffinetely should ask them why you were not fitted for a night guard before. My dentist told me to get fitted for one at my very first visit, andI ended up making an appt. with the orthodontist he recommended and I now have braces to try fixing my Jaw problem which is causing my grinding as well as other problems.

That is SO weird that they did not tell you about the guard sooner But some Dr. or Dentists you have to be the one to step up and say how can we prevent this from getting worse!!

Answer 6

I don't think you have a case, but I would check with another dentist and/or a dental school.
As for "night guard", it may seem over simplification but you can buy one or two plastic mouth pieces. Just dip in boiling water for 30 sec. then dip in cold water, 1 sec. put in your mouth, bite down and wait. Soon it will be formed over your teeth.
It is cheap and effective, they can be found at local drug or sporting goods store. As a promotion some dentist give them away. You go in to get fited but they check your teeth first and tell you what you need to have done.

Answer 7

Check out other Dentists in your area first, U do need a nite guard, and later u will need root canels, it is good u were told ahead of time, how your mouth situation really is. Chech around for a better price. and start saving for youe r. c. later on/ good luck

Answer 8

my cousin still grinds her teeth and she has to wear a retainer every night and she is 30 years old. so i dont know if you have a case or not but i have never had this problem. but there are a lot of people out there who have the same problem as you do so i hope this helps.