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Getting a Refund from a Negligent Dentist

I had a dental crown placed. I immediately started having a sensitivity to hot and cold. My dentist said that was normal and I’d adjust to it. A couple of weeks later and my face swelled up and I was in massive pain. I ended up in the ER. They gave me some antibiotics and told me to see a dentist. I went the next day to a different dentist and they said I had a raging infection because my crown had large open margins. They showed me on the x-rays how bad the margin was. I needed a root canal and another dental crown. I called my original office to let them know what happened and ask for a refund on the half I’d already paid. They told me once they place the crown I’m responsible and they expect full payment. They told me if I didn’t pay they’d send me to collections. I was flabbergasted. I was like they didn’t even care that their work caused me pain, an ER visit, and two unnecessary procedures. Do I have any recourse?

Cathy

Dear Cathy,

A woman holding a jaw in need of an emergency dentist

I’m going to start with a disclaimer. I haven’t examined your tooth and am basing everything below solely on what you’ve said. You have a few choices here. At least one of them will work.

Option 1

Let them know you are going to take the case to the dental board. What he did is malpractice. The most important thing to check when a new crown is being seated on a tooth is to run an explorer around the margins and make sure there is a good fit to the crown. It doesn’t sound like your dentist did this. At the very least, when you complained of sensitivity, he should have checked to see what was going on. Hearing the dental board mentioned should sober him, especially seeing as his neglect led to a dental emergency. If it doesn’t, you still have two more options.

Option 2

Get another dentist to back you up. Sometimes, the opinion of their peers matters quite a bit. He may be willing to refund your money, simply to avoid looking bad in front of the other dentist.

Option 3

Go through a lawyer. Often, all it takes is a letter from a lawyer with the threat of a malpractice suit for the dentist to come to his senses. I don’t think it is financially feasible to do a true suit, though of course, that is up to you. Lawyers are expensive so it may not be worth it. They don’t often charge much to write a letter though and make the dentist think twice.

This blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

Will a Dentist Treat an Excruciating Mouth Sore?

My husband has a mouth sore which is so painful he’s not eating. I think he should see a dentist, but he thinks dentists won’t bother with it because it’s not a tooth. Will a dentist see him? When is a mouthsore an emergency?

Louise

Dear Louise,

A man holding his jaw in need of an emergency dentist

A dentist will look into any oral health issue, even a mouth sore. In fact, if your husband goes to see a dentist regularly, part of his checkup should be checking him for signs of oral cancer. Most mouth sores end up being canker sores.

These are caused by many things including biting one’s cheek, friction from a dental appliance, injury, stress, or even an allergy.

These usually clear up within two weeks. The only thing to do is manage the pain between now and then.

Managing Pain with Canker Sores

If you go to the dental aisle of any grocery store or pharmacy, you’ll likely find a variety of products. Some are gels you place on the canker sore to help relieve pain. They also have some pads with a pain reliever on them. It’s challenging to keep the pads on in a mouth which, by design, is loaded with moisture. However, it may help him get through a meal with less pain.

If you feel the sore is infected you’ll need to use an antiseptic on it. Many canker sore medicines have antiseptic in them. If for some reason you can’t find one, a simple 50/50 mixture of water and peroxide will do the same thing.

When is a Mouth Sore Dangerous?

If the two weeks go by and the sore isn’t gone or the pain worsens, then it may be time to see a dentist. If the pain is unbearable it’s okay to schedule an emergency dental appointment where they can get you on the same day.

I hope this helps. Mouth sores are awful so I’m sorry he’s having to go through it.

This blog is brought to you by Gentle Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

Wine for a Whiner?

I don’t know what to do. I don’t like dentists. I’m sorry. I know you’re a dental practice, but that’s the truth of it.  Now I’ve got a toothache and know I need to see a dentist. Is it OK to drink wine before the appointment in order to make it a little easier to take?  I know I sound like a whiner, but it’s a legitimate fear. Dentist’s always seem to hurt.

Phillip – Oregon

Phillip,

You don’t sound like a whiner to me. You sound like someone who’s being honest. You need two things.

1. An emergency dentist. Someone who’d be willing to see you on short notice. You don’t want to put this off. If you have an infection, it will spread.

2.  A Compassionate Dentist. When you’ve got dental fear, you need someone who understands that fear.  Many dentists will work gently with fearful patients. In fact, some market themselves as gentle dentists. Some market themselves as sedation dentists.

All that said, I haven’t answered your question about the wine.  While you’re welome to drink a glass of wine to relax you, it could interfere with some medication your dentist wants to give you, especially if it’s sedation.

That might be a better option for you than the wine. While the wine may relax you. The sedation can give you a completely pain free appointment.

Just make sure whatever you decide, tell the emergency dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Tammy Tran.

Why do I have to follow up with my regular dentist if I’m happy with the work the emergency dentist did?

I had an accident. My face was pretty banged up and I lost part of a tooth. I went to an emergency dentist shortly after I was released from the emergency room. The dentist was amazing. He heard my distress and came to his office at night for someone who wasn’t even his patient. This after my own dentist told me just to schedule an appointment. He did a fantastic job. I can’t tell the difference between my natural tooth and the patch job. He told me to follow up with my regular dentist. Do I need to if I’m happy with the work he did?

Jill D. – Austin, TX

Jill,

I’m relieved you received such great emergency care and that you’re doing well. It sounds like you were really disappointed with your current dentist and may have found a new oral health care provider.

It sounds like he did a great job. I’m assuming he did dental bonding on your tooth. The reason for the follow up appointment is because of the trauma to your tooth during the accident.

Sometimes when a tooth is injured by trauma, the symptoms don’t show up immediately. What happens is the blood flow to the tooth gets cut off and that wouldn’t show up on x-rays. That causes your tooth to need  a root canal.

IF you don’t follow up it will just get worse and you will only know when it becomes abscessed.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Tammy Tran.

Will a Dentist Take a Tooth Out for Free?

I don’t have money and I have a dreadful toothache and no money. Will a dentist take a tooth out for free?

Marvin T. – Portland, OR

Marvin,

There are some dentists who will do pro bono work under certain circumstances. A tooth needing to be pulled would certainly be one of them. There are also free clinics that pop up to do work for low income patients. However, if there is a chance to save your tooth, you should definitely try.  It is much better to save a tooth.

You’ll need to see an emergency dentist. Tell them of your circumstances. Depending on the dentist’s policies, they will either just help you for what you can afford or will give you a very reasonable way to pay it out.

You don’t want to put this off, because if it’s infected, the infection will spread.  Then you’ll have a much bigger problem than a toothache.

This blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

Can I just take antibiotics or do I need a dentist?

I’ve heard a toothache is just an infection. I’m on antibiotics, will that take care of that too?  I don’t have a dentist.

Drew – Kentucky

Drew,

If you’ve got a tooth infection, it will have to be dealt with by a dentist. Unfortunately, antibiotics will only help a little.  There are areas in your tooth where there is no blood flow. Because of that, the dentist will need to get in there and dig out the infection.

I realize you don’t have a dentist, but there are emergency dentists who will be happy to see you. Some can even get you in the same day.

Just don’t put it off. A tooth infection will spread.  Your teeth are close to your brain and  you definitely wouldn’t want it to spread there.

This blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

 

Have a dental emergency but am scared of the dentist

I have a pretty severe toothache and something is swollen. I’m sure I need to get in to the dentist for an emergency appointment, but I can’t bring myself to pick up the phone.  Is there any way I can treat this at home?

Nellie B. – Oregon

Nellie,

This isn’t the kind of thing that needs to be treated quickly by a dentist. If you don’t, take care of it, it will become more than just a dental emergency. It can become a pretty serious medical emergency.  It’s likely an infection and it will spread.

Most people who are afraid of the dentist have had a painful experience with a dental appointment. Some have had painful appointments EVERY time. That makes going to the dentist a frightening prospect.  Who wants to add pain to pain.

What you’ll want to do is find someone who lists as a gentle dentist or even possibly a sedation dentist. That way you can take care of your dental care without fear of excruciating pain.

This blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

 

Will the ER treat a dental emergency?

I’m in a lot of pain from a tooth. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t have a dentist, so can I go to the ER?

Dan S. – Bentonville, AR

Dan,

The ER might treat the surface issue and get you temporarily out of pain, but they will not treat the dental issue. For that you will need a dentist.

ER’s tend to overcharge anyway, so if I were in your position, I would just go to a dentist from the beginning. I understand you don’t currently have a dentist, but that won’t preclude you from being seen.

There are dentists who will treat non-patients in an emergency, such as your case. Who knows, you may enjoy the emergency dentist so much that you find your new permanent dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

My tooth is knocked out, but I’m high. Can I still go?

I just knocked out my tooth. Can I go to the dentist when I’m high or will he turn me in?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Generally, you have doctor / patient confidentiality. The only way he would be likely to turn you in is if he felt like you were a danger to the public. So, I wouldn’t drive yourself there. Get one of your friends, who isn’t high, and have them drive you.

When you have a dental emergency, such a knocked out tooth, it is important you get there  as soon as possible. You probably have about thirty minutes to save your tooth. Put it in a glass of milk to keep it moist and get to the dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

Tooth pain and fever, but too scared to go in

I don’t know if you can help me, but I’m feeling desperate. I’ve had a toothache for a couple of days. It has gotten really bad. Now the side of my face hurts and I have a fever. I know I probably have a tooth infection, but I’m too paralyzed at the idea of going in. I HATE dentists. Is there anything I can do to deal with this myself?

Amanda B. – Benton, AR

Amanda,

You are right that you likely have a tooth infection and it is spreading. That is why your face is hurting. It can only get worse. I realize you have a very real fear of the dentist. It is important you get seen though. You’re in pain, so you can go to an emergency dentist.

Because you have dental anxiety, I would suggest you find an emergency dentist who also practices sedation dentistry. This will allow you to have your appointment completely pain free.  The dentist will be able to get you out of pain from the infection.

This is one of those things you need to not put off. I promise there are dentists who are sensitive to your fear that will work with you.

This  blog is brought to you by Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Tammy Tran.

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