Did My Dentist Miss Signs That My Teeth Needed Extractions?

Posted by AllSmiles

I take my dental care seriously. I go for preventive appointments and cleanings two or three times a year.

My dentist had one tooth on a “watch” because there was some concern about it. Despite that, the tooth eventually had to be extracted and replaced with an implant. My dentist explained that the problem developed unusually fast and told me that my dental problems progressed more quickly than expected.

Then a filling done at the same office about three years earlier fell out. When I went back to have it repaired, my dentist said the tooth might need a root canal. I went for the root canal appointment and was told the tooth could not be saved and needed to be extracted. Now, for the second year in a row, I have the expense of an extraction and implant.

I have asked my dentist how two teeth could reach the point of needing extraction when I have regular checkups and cleanings and take good care of my teeth. I am especially concerned that after the first tooth was lost, my dentist didn’t warn me that another tooth was in jeopardy.

Since these extractions and implants are costing me thousands of dollars, I would like to know whether this situation could indicate inadequate care and whether It is reasonable for me to seek compensation. – Thank you. Laurel

Laurel,

We understand your concerns about your two teeth. Although our dentists have not examined you, reviewed your X-rays, or heard your dentist’s explanation, some aspects of your experience deserve a closer look.

Why Would You Need a Root Canal Despite Regular Dental Checkups?

Occasionally, a tooth may need root canal treatment even if a patient maintains good oral hygiene habits. One purpose of routine checkups is to identify problems early enough to prevent them whenever possible. Still, some problems can develop unexpectedly.

For example, a tooth can crack and eventually need root canal therapy. Another possibility involves an older, deep filling that develops decay around its edges. Decay can travel along the filling through the softer dentin underneath and reach the pulp relatively quickly.

Detecting the problem around an amalgam filling can be challenging. Composite fillings are somewhat translucent, making it easier to detect decay alongside them.

How Concerning Is a Tooth That Goes from “Watch” to an Extraction?

A tooth progressing from “watch” status to unrestorable between regular checkups is concerning. A tooth placed on watch should generally have a relatively small or questionable area that the dentist can monitor with an examination and appropriate X-rays.

We suspect, however, that the tooth you described may have had an older filling. Your dentist may have noticed something around the filling or on an X-ray that suggested recurrent decay was beginning.

Without seeing the records, we cannot know how advanced the problem was at that point. Still, it is difficult to explain how a monitored tooth became unrestorable so quickly. For a tooth to reach that point from decay, the damage would generally need to extend deeply into the tooth and compromise enough tooth structure to require a replacement option.

Should the Filling That Fell Out Also Concern You?

The second tooth adds to the concern because the filling fell out and the tooth was found to have extensive damage. A properly placed filling can fail or come out, so the failure alone does not prove that anything was done incorrectly.

What concerns us more is the sequence of events:

• The filling was only about three years old.
• When it came out, your dentist thought the tooth needed root canal treatment.
• The specialist then determined that the tooth could not be saved and needed extraction.
• This happened after you had already lost another tooth that had been monitored.

That raises a reasonable question about whether your dentist could have detected the extent of the damage to the second tooth earlier.

Should You Find Another Dentist?

Getting another dentist’s perspective would be wise. You have lost two teeth in a relatively short period despite receiving regular preventive care, and you no longer seem confident that your dentist isn’t detecting your dental issues early enough. A new dentist can review your current condition and may look at previous X-rays to see whether there were earlier signs of trouble.

Can You Ask for Financial Compensation?

Proving that you are entitled to compensation may be more challenging than requesting it. Determining whether the dentist failed to diagnose these problems appropriately would require substantial evidence, including the following:

• X-rays taken before the teeth became unrestorable
• Treatment notes explaining why the first tooth was placed on watch
• Records showing the condition and history of the fillings
• X-rays or records from the root canal specialist
• An independent dentist’s opinion after reviewing your dental records

We recommend obtaining copies of your dental records and X-rays. After another dentist reviews them, it will be easier to determine whether to approach your former dentist about helping with the costs of your dental care. If the records raise serious concerns, you can consider whether further professional or legal advice is appropriate.

 

Chandler, Arizona, dentists Dr. William Walden and Dr. Tyrel Beavers sponsor this post. Read about what they do to provide some of the best dental care in Chandler.