My dentist told me i have gum disease after being a patient of his for 25 years. Do I have any legal recourse?

Question

I am 47 years old and have been seeing the same dentist for the past 25 years. I have never missed any of my 6 months recalls. Now his "new" hygienist told me I have several 8 mm pockets around my teeth. I was referred to a periodontist. I need bone grafting. This dentist never did full mouth probing or a full mouth series of x-rays. This periodontal surgery will cost me thousands of dollars and there is no guarentee that i still won't loose these teeth. How could my gums have gone this bad in 6 months? I believe he failed to diagnose. Do I have a legal case? help...anyone!!

Answer 1

I would hesitate to take the advise of a hygienist. You should seek a second opinion. Your dentist should know what gum disease looks like. If you have had regular check ups with him and he hasn't noticed anything, it may be a sign that there might not be any problems with your gums. But in any case, don't take the hygienist's, or the periodontist or your dentist's (and especially some stranger on yahoo answers) word for it. Get a second opinion.

As far as legal course, if there is no malpractice (meaning no damage has been done by the dentist during surgery or treatment), then there is very little chance of you receiving any monetary gain.

sfm

I especially wouldn't take the advice of a hygienist that has an outdated education from over 21 years ago who probably doesn't have a law degree. People like that think they know more than someone who went to school to be a DOCTOR OF DENTISTRY.

I think I'm right on by stating that you should definitely get a second opinion.

Answer 2

A local dentist did the very same thing with me! He also screwed up a tooth with a poorly made/fitted filling, then charged me for redoing his own mistake! I went back to my old dentist a week later (he is 70mi from me and I used to work with him). He took one look in my mouth, probed all around my gums, and called the periodontist HIMSELF. I was in her office 30 minutes later. As it turned out, I needed surgery on all 4 quadrants, an extraction, and 6 bone grafts. My dentist also said I should have had a crown placed on the screwed-up tooth since there was so little of it left after the local quack had messed with it. I live in a small town, so spreading the word about the crummy dentist will have an effect on his business, thank God!!

Answer 3

Periodontal diease (gum disease) does not happen overnight...it usually happens over time. There are signs that lead to periodontal diease. A 8mm pocket does not occur over 6months...if it did I would definitely see a periodontist for treatment. Many denist will let you know when periodontal treatment is necessary, but sometimes patient not listen. A dentist can only do so much. A good dentist would dismiss a patient who will not listen to proper treatment. Anyways, I feel bad you your situation, if your dentist did not review periodontal treatment with you in the past, then he did not do his job. Early periodontal disease can easily be treated.

Answer 4

Well, in today's litigious society, anyone can sue anyone for anything. Unfortunately for you, most jury members will put the value of your teeth right around the cost for the treatment to fix them, so you don't stand to profit from a law suit. I have seen pockets progress from 2mm to 8mm in a matter of just a few months in my practice. If the dentist was REALLY concerned only with the money he/she could make, he/she would have attempted to treat you themselves multiple times before referring you to a periodontist. You should thank your new hygienist, get the recommended treatment at the office of the specialist to whom you were referred, and save your teeth from bone loss and infection. Good luck.

Answer 5

I would definitely take the dentist to court, because 25 years worth of 6 month check-ups, you should have known a long time ago that you have periodontitis. There is no reason why he should have withheld the information from you.

Answer 6

I would like to give your dentist the benefit of the doubt. You have trusted him for this long. I am sorry you are having problems. I vote you get it fixed and maybe ask your current doctor if there was something you could have notice between now and six months ago to treat to problem sooner. (well for future reference) Good luck.

Answer 7

I would say you have a pretty good case if you were never told about your gum condition prior to this or never given the option of having more extensive cleanings or even sooner recare visits under this dentists care. Do you smoke? Do you have Diabetes? Both these conditions can advance periodontal problems, but you still would have started with pockets of 4mm or more, not 8. This is called managed neglect and it is a very common situation in many dental offices.


sixfingeredman you are WAY OFF!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I hate to tell you this but that MAY BE your body, not necessarily his ineptness as a dentist. I would get a second and third opinion. Go to a dental college, they will see you at next to nothing and there are professors there that can talk with you about it.

Answer 9

you shouldnt be surprised,most americans have gum disease, its from eating horrible food like cakes and chips and donuts...but dont worry about suing,just try to fix your mouth, stop eating crap, stick to fruits vegetables chicken fish and eggs. the vegetables will help you the most to repair your gums.

stop using regular toothpaste and mouthwash it does more harm than good.
you should swish green tea in your mouth twice a day,and only brush using a soft bristled brush.if you can find cranberry juice concentrate add that to the green tea.

please try this it WILL work and let me know if you would like anyother information

Answer 10

gum disease forms after warnings of gingivitis and stuff....i think they should have told you before you were on your way to gum disease. First consult that info with another dentist to be sure, then contact a lawyer.....