Can I sue my Orthodontist?

[jimnyc]

Firstly, dentist aren't qualified to do braces, only Orthodontist are.

When and how did you find out/realize that he was a regular dentist and not and orthodontist? I only ask as your title and previous posts point to him being an ortho, and now that's changed.

 

[Zigner]

Firstly, dentist aren't qualified to do braces, only Orthodontist are.

That is patently untrue.

Here is just one (of thousands) of articles: https://www.dentalaegis.com/id/2007/04/the-straight-story-on-orthodontics-in-the-general-practice

 

[quincy]

When and how did you find out/realize that he was a regular dentist and not and orthodontist? I only ask as your title and previous posts point to him being an ortho, and now that's changed.

jimnyc, I think powerxboy was correcting OUR use of the word dentist.

An orthodontist IS a dentist, however, just as an obstetrician is a doctor. Both an orthodontist and an obstetrician have chosen to specialize in their fields and, therefore, they have had more training and education to become qualified as specialists. But calling an orthodontist a dentist or an obstetrician a doctor is not wrong - it is just not giving them credit for their specialty.

Had powerxboy discovered the dentist who worked on his braces was NOT an orthodontist, THEN he could POTENTIALLY have a malpractice claim, depending on all facts. But I am not seeing a clear malpractice claim in what powerxboy has described here - especially if he did not inform his orthodontist of his genetic predisposition to tear trough (if dental work is even considered a tear trough risk, and I do not know enough about this to say that it is).

He should speak with an attorney in his area if he believes he has a supportable case and the attorney can give him a better idea if he has a case worth pursuing - this if a reasoned discussion with his current orthodontist does not resolve the problems he is experiencing.

 

[Zigner]

Had powerxboy discovered the dentist who worked on his braces was NOT an orthodontist, THEN he could POTENTIALLY have a malpractice claim, depending on all facts.

There is no requirement that a dentist be an orthodontics specialist in order to install braces.

 

[quincy]

There is no requirement that a dentist be an orthodontics specialist in order to install braces.

That is why I used the words "potentially" and "depending on all facts."

It also does not take an obstetrician to deliver a baby.

Sometimes it is better to have a specialist handle your dental or medical needs, though.

 

[Proserpina]

It also does not take an obstetrician to deliver a baby.

Indeed. Only a woman, or a stork, are required elements.

 

[quincy]

Indeed. Only a woman, or a stork, are required elements.

A UPS delivery man came to our door when my oldest daughter was about three and she asked him if he was the one who delivered her.

 

[Matrafajlo]

You can try, but good luck you'll need it an Orthodontist makes really really good money and will most likely have a very powerful and successful lawyer to help him.

 

[quincy]

You can try, but good luck you'll need it an Orthodontist makes really really good money and will most likely have a very powerful and successful lawyer to help him.

Here is a link to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on employment and wages for orthodontists throughout the country (as of May 2014): http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291023.htm

The problem with looking at the "really really good money" an orthodontist may make is that this money does not factor in costs to be an orthodontist. Malpractice insurance is often so high for professionals that the money that is actually made is reduced significantly.

No one should ever think to sue anyone else unless they have a legitimate cause of action, which is best determined by a personal review of all facts by an attorney licensed in one's own jurisdiction.