What Should I do? Is this dangerous or grounds for a lawsuit? About 5 mths ago I had a root canal & the?

Question

dentist broke off a file from his drill in my tooth (they told me it happens all the time). They gave me my $ back (told me they'd send the impression out for a crown or whatever) sent me to an endo (i paid) and told me to come back in 3 weeks to get the cap put on. They gave me a really low price on the cap like i only owed $400 more. The endo couldn't get the file out but finished the root canal. The dentist or endo wouldn't tell me what could happen in result of this. When the dentist never called me to tell me the cap had came in I called. The receptionist looked up my file and told me they didn't have a cap because I had never been there to get a root canal. So I said let me talk to someone else because I was. Everyone kept telling me I wasn't there. Finally someone admitted I was but told me that they never sent the mold off and didn't have it anymore. Anyways don't you think it's weird that they pretty much trashed my file, does that mean i should sue them, can I.

Well I'm not sure if it is grounds and I'm broke anyways. It hasn't affected me financially yet... But my dad had a jaw surgery where the oral surgeon messed up and now he has no feeling in the bottom half of his face. He thought it would come back and never tried to sue, now he never can. Don't you think it's weird that they would ditch only that part of my file and I thought it was state law that they had to keep documentation. A lawyer told me that but never called me back. It doesn't cause me problems now but what if it does in the future? Should I call another lawyer. No dentist will tell me anything. I'm asking here because I have contacted a lawyer and a dentist they didn't call me back. Should I keep trying.

As for proof I have the xray and the file is still in my mouth. Also if it wasn't grounds for lawsuit why would they lie. Finally i got a lady to admit that they didn't send the impression off because they didn't think i would come back.

First of all the first dentist took an impression after they finished the procedure and told me they would send it off and they will call when it comes in so I can finish in approx 3 weeks
2nd i know part of the drill did not break off they told me it was a file (a bit kind of) this is what they said. They told my canals were narrow and it happens often. I don't know what you think was a miscommunication between the endo and dentist. But the receptionist only called the endo and told them i was coming and what had happened.
I just think that if they find the need to lie about it and say i was never there, there could possibly be some serious results. They won't give me the original price anymore don't know why. I already tried to resolve this with the dentist office and they claimed i was never there but they have my file that day just wasn't included. Would you want to go back?
Oh and again I have the x ray that shows the piece of the tool or whatever. it is in there.

I think i have been pretty clear
and I didn't say a part of the drill. I said a file or bit of the drill.

I think i have been pretty clear
and I didn't say a part of the drill. I said a file or bit of the drill.

Answer 1

You can always try to sue, but the attorneys are always looking for the dramatic cases. The ones in my area wouldn't take it because there wouldn't be enough pay out for the effort. Remind the dentist that the crown was paid for (though discounted), get a new impression, get the crown, then request an xray of the tooth after the crown is put in (to make sure it fits properly). Next request a copy of all of your records (xrays and documentation, which by law in most states they have to provide, though maybe a small copy fee) and go to a different dentist. While separating files happens enough, they followed proper procedure, by informing you. It means they were using old, frequently sterilized files (makes 'em weak). It sounds like this office is very sloppy about there business, so they're probably sloppy in other ways.

Answer 2

First of all, you need to be more clear about what happened. A part of the dentist's "drill" did not break off in your tooth. A very fine metal file is used to clean out the tiny canals of your tooth. Sometimes they break off and can be removed by a specialist. It does happen but not "all the time."

Dentists are obligated to keep your dental records for at least 7 years (in case police need to identify your remains for one reason.)

Sounds like miscommunication between your dentist and the endodontist. Your dental office did not want to send out an impression and pay lab fees for a crown you might not come back and get. At this point, they should take a new impression and make the crown at the fee they quoted you.

For the love of all that's holy, STOP suggesting everyone sue everyone else. It doesn't seem like you've put much effort into resolving this on your own. Why not just make an appointment, go into the office and TALK to the dentist before running to a lawyer?

Root canals are risky and most dentists explain this to the patient before beginning. It is an attempt to save a compromised tooth. Sometimes, they fail through no fault of the dentist.

Answer 3

I was a dental assitant and i quit because a lot of dentists out there are *****. They only care about money and rush to see as many patients as they can, and rip people off.

I live in canada and by law a dentist has to keep your file for 5 years (or more) but they can't just thrown it away.

They should have found some way of getting the file out. It is normal for a file to break, but i never heard of anyone not being able to remove it, espically an endodontist.

About the impression for a cap, you can only have a crown made for you after you have completely finished the root canal, and closed it with a filling. The tooth then is shaved a bit smaller, a temporary cap (made of plastic) should be placed on your tooth for about a week while your crown is being made. Then when the porcelin crown is made they would call you in, remove the plastic crown and place the porcelin one in.

If the dentist took an impression before the root canal and filling were done, it was a complete waste of time.

I hope you figure things out, you seem to be in a really big mess.

Answer 4

I think you should go to the Dental Office and ask for a complete copy of your dental records, including a copy of any xrays. There is a Board of Dental Examiners or a Licensing Board in your State that this should be reported to. If there investigation does not satisfy you, then contact a Lawyer. I practiced Dentistry for 36 years and files do brake but the situation was not handled very professionally. Also root canal files are hand instruments in my book. I am sure there are files made that may be used with a drill; but that is asking for trouble. Good luck1

Answer 5

FYI, YOU NEED TO DO IS HAVE A CROWN PLACED ON THIS TOOTH TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER BREAK OF THE TOOTH.
THE WHOLE CASE WAS HANDLED INCORRECTLY.
WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IS THE FOLLOWING;
AFTER THE ROOT CANAL WAS FINISHED YOUR REGULAR DENTIST SHOULD HAVE PREPARED THIS TOOTH FOR THE CAP AND PLACED A TEMPORARY CROWN. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THEN GIVEN AN APPOINTMENT TO COME BACK AND HAVE THE PERMANENT CROWN CEMENTED.
SO, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
GIVE THIS DENTIST THE CHANCE TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT. TALK TO HIM ABOUT GETTING THE CROWN FOR THIS TOOTH.
FILES DO SEPARATE OCCASIONALLY AND SINCE THE ROOT CANAL SPECIALIST FINISHED THE ROOT CANAL HIS OPINION WAS THAT THIS SMALL BROKEN PIECE WOULD NOT BE A RISK TO THE TOOTH.
SINCE YOU ALREADY PAID FOR THE CROWN JUST GET IT. A LAWSUIT FOR THIS IS INAPPROPRIATE AND NO LAWYER WILL TAKE THE CASE.

Answer 6

I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think the dentist has any legal obligation to keep your file or your dental impression. Sure, it would be good practice if he did.

If you want to know if you've got grounds for a lawsuit, contact a lawyer, not us bozos. You need the services of a real, live attorney who knows the laws in your state and specializes in this area of law. (For instance, you don’t hire a tax attorney for your medical malpractice suit.) Be aware that you must have tangible proof of harm, usually financial, to be likely to win.

To find an attorney, you can call your local (county) Bar Association, which will give you the names of attorneys in your area who are accepting clients. They will not recommend anyone over someone else. You can also check two websites.

http://findlaw.com lets you indicate the general area of your legal issue and your location, by city or zipcode, then produces a list of attorneys. There’s also an option to submit your legal issue and location plus contact information, and any attorney interested in the case will get in touch with you. There’s no guarantee any will be interested, of course.

http://www.martindale.com/ is also a site for finding attorneys where you are located who handle your type of case. It purportedly rates the attorneys, too. However, within the legal community the ratings are considered more an indicator of hourly fee than of competence. Any attorney who’s been rated at all, even not very highly, should represent you well. Those who are unrated may lack experience.

Answer 7

A drill should stop if it gets stuck. I think the rubber drive belt was set too tight on the drill. Talk to your dentist about the situation.
Get an opinion from another dentist. Call a lawyer.

Answer 8

This sounds very generic. Your hormones and physique have replaced. My suitable chum stopped breast feeding 7 months in the past and she or he nevertheless leaks from time to time. that's becoming much less, yet she says it she places stress on the nipple,milk will squirt out.

Answer 9

By all means, sue their butts off. I'd sue everybody you spoke with or saw. If anybody even talked to you, sue them. And don't be afraid to ask for lots of $$$. That'll catch their attention. Don't give your atty a contingency percent, instead just pay him/her to file the basic lawsuit. Then sit back and wait for the offers to settle roll in.