Botched Root Canal Caused Pain and Suffering

GA
My husband has been suffering from almost daily headaches for months and no medical doctors were able to determine what exactly was causing them. Many tests were run as well as prescriptions tried but nothing ever helped. A couple of weeks ago, he started experiencing a great deal of pain in one tooth in particular. He went to the dentist today to determine what was causing the toothache. Xrays were taken and the dentist couldn't get over what he found. Evidently when my husband had a root canal performed by his old dentist last May he didn't go far enough up the root and basically my husband has had a pocket of infection this whole time. The dentist he saw today looked over his old records and saw the infection and informed him he could have died as a result of this error if left untreated. He has spent so much money this past year, not to mention time off from work trying to find out what was causing his headaches and to learn more than likely it all could have been prevented if the old dentist wouldn't have botched up the root canal. He drilled a small hole in the area where the problem is and for the next 72 hours he has to take antibiotics and pain medications while the infection drains out. Once the infection is under control the corrective root canal will be done. We are looking for advice on whether or not we have some type of malpractice case.

[ellencee]

julbox3134
There are several areas in this posts that require consideration. Did your husband tell any of the treating physicians that he had had a root canal in May? Did your husband call the endodontist and tell him or her about his headaches?

Eight months is a considerable length of time to have an abscess with no signs or symptoms other than a headache. You did not state what prescriptions were tried. Was any bloodwork done? An infection should be reflected in normal bloodwork such as a CBC.

In order to prove the endodontist was negligent in performing the root canal, I believe the x-rays at the time of the root canal are the ones that should be reviewed.

I have sincere doubts that negligence or malpractice occurred; but, since dentists are one of the most frequently sued medical care providers, you should be able to find an attorney with experience in dental medmal issues. Take advantage of a free consultation appointment at your earliest convenience. A statute of limitations will apply and after that time-limit has expired, so has your husband's right to bring suit.

Best wishes,
EC