suffering due to wrong measurments

What is the name of your state? Florida

I tried this once before but it wouldn't post, so if this is a repeat please excuse.

My father recently went to a dentist to have new dentures made due to his old ones breaking. He was required to make 4 appointments for measurements and lab work and so on. He took the 4 days off from work over the period of 2 months as required and lost approx. $900 in wages due to these appointments. Now after all of this his dentures have arrived. He went in to get them and was placed in a chair and the assistant tried to place the dentures in his mouth. When they wouldn't fit he told them they were the wrong size. Another assistant held his head while they tried to "make them fit" by forcing them in and out of his mouth repeatedly. They then called the dentist in who did the same thing again. Now all of this caused extreme discomfort, as you can imagine somebody forcing a large plastic object with sharp edges in and out of your mouth. At last the dentist said that they were the wrong size and they would have to start all over with the appointments and sizing. My father has been suffering for 2 months with broken teeth cutting the inside of his mouth when he eats. Now because of this dentist making a mistake he will have to suffer for at least another 2 months and lose another 4 days pay, if his company will give him the days off. He asked for his money back and was given the check that he had written that day. But, was told that he would have to wait until they spoke to their accountant to see if they could give him the rest of his money. Can he get any compensation for his loss from work or suffering, because of this mistake? The dentures were $1400 and after losing work for appointments they will eventually cost him over $3000.

Dental malpractice cases have little appeal for malpractice lawyers because little money is involved. I suggest your father consider going to another dentist before he does too much with this present one. Then he should sue the dentist in small claims for his money. He ought to be able to recover at least his lost wages. He certainly should not pay any more money to the dentist who did lousy work. I suspect what happened is that the lab sent the wrong plates to the dentist, but that is not important. The plates did not fit. I don't know why your father went back to the first dentist.

I don’t understand why it would have required 4 days for measurements and lab work, but regardless -- your dad chose to take off work and attend these appointments for the new dentures. As far as the techs and dentist trying to make them fit -- dental procedures are not pain free (wish they were!)

You state he has “broken teeth” that are cutting the inside of his mouth. Are you talking about broken, old dentures that he is chosing to wear, or are you talking about his real teeth? It's unusual for a dentist to leave broken and/or poor teeth in place (these would normally be extracted for denture purposes).
Is your dad eating a soft and/or pureed diet to help prevent this (this trauma)?

The dentist apparently made a mistake, but from what I'm gathering -- the dentist is attempting to correct the problem and get the correct dentures for your dad. I’m not an attorney, but I don’t think your father will get anywhere with attempting to get compensation down any avenue at this point since the dentist is making an attempt to correct the problem. I think your dad should 1) continuing to work with the dentist, or 2) find a new dentists.

Good luck

hmmbrdzz

Thanks for the replies. He has broken old dentures that are causing the pain. All his teeth were removed when he was 18 due to a nerve problem in his mouth. The nerves were rotting away from the inside of his teeth. As far as the 4 days. The dentist told him that he would have to make 4 seperate appointments. One for the fitting, one for the measurements, one for "lab work" and one for casting. He wants to go to a new dentist, but has to wait until he gets his money back from the first dentist to be able to afford a new one, plus he has to check with his insurance company as they may have already paid some on this dentist. He wasn't worried about the lost time of work, until he found out that he would have to do it all over again. He had no problem with the original 4 days, but the additional 4 causes problems with his employer and hurts his wallet. He has complained to the BBB about the dentist, but doubts that will help him any.

Hi Sonofawich: I just don't think your dad will get anywhere attempting to get any money back from the dentist. I think your dad should ask this dentist "do I have to pay again for the same procedures, and if so -- why?"

If this error in fitting was the dentist's fault, and the dentist agrees not to charge AGAIN for the procedure, then your dad should, in my opinion, let this same dentist start all over and get the proper fitting dentures. Otherwise, your dad is going to be out ALL the money, will have no dentures, and will possibly have no means to get another set.

If your dad is not satisfied with what the dentist tells him about "cost" for the same procedures being performed again, then your dad should write a letter to this dentist expressing his dissatisfaction and requesting the procedures be performed at no cost to him. If the dentist refuses to do the fitting and casting again free of charge to your dad to get the proper fit, then something stinks. If the dentist refuses to fit and cast again at no charge to your dad, then I would encouarge your dad to write another letter and say "this stinks" (in a diplomatic way!) and ask this dentist again to not charge.

Has your dad tried to get an explanation from the dentist yet on what the cost is going to be to him to "re-do" this?

And if you don't mind my asking, what "lab" work?? X-rays perhaps?

And last but not least -- if your dad's dentures are cutting his mouth, he should let this dentist know (I'm sure he has). Sometimes dentists will encourage patients to keep wearing them; sometimes they will say "stop wearing them". Any by the way -- although very uncomfortable for your dad -- any "pain and suffering" on account of bad, worn out dentures, would not be the dentist's fault.


hmmbrdzz

[pele]

I have only two comments. One is to get a new dentist. Two, have you tried talking to your insurance company? Find out who you should write to there. If they chose to investigate, the dentist may have to refund their payment to them and the funds will be there to seek help elsewhere. Good luck to you.