Do I have any recourse here?

About four years ago a dentist sweet talked me into getting some mercury amalgam fillings replaced for composites.

Somehow I agreed and whilst doing it, for one tooth, she drilled out half of it to remove the filling (as mercury fillings are typically fixed into the teeth pretty good).

As so much tooth had been removed, she had to then fill back in the small occlusive area, but additionally reshape the tooth (a molar) on the lingual and mesial side also.

Resultantly, it started to trap food, and began to cause significant decay.

Unfortunately I only found this out after four years when the decay had become severe, as honestly I only used to drop into the dentist from time to time as I never had any issues.

And the ONLY issue I had, was with this tooth.

Now in fact, the tooth requires major work to save it (which is hopefully possible).

Was it not negligence on behalf of the dentist, not to even let me know that she had done so much work on the tooth, let me know to schedule regular checks ups to make sure everything was okay after such an extensive filling?

That she failed to reshape the tooth in such a way as it wouldn't cause these kinds of issues?

In this context:

The dentist who filled in the massive cavity was different from the dentist who changed the mercury fillings.

The tooth is still poorly shaped and still traps food.

So, which dentist is responsible for making that correction?

The original dentist that messed it up, or the most recent dentist that "fixed" it?

Jim_Hodge

You seem to have a lot of dental issues.

This was all four years ago. You have no recourse now. How many times have you been to a dentist in that four years?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122735196#Comment_122735196

I have one major dental issue = a bum 2nd molar, top left.

Roots extending into the sinus cavity which makes either a root canal or extraction, potentially much more complicated (and expensive).

I've been in agonizing pain every day (and night) for the last three months.

Ideally I would like if heads would roll.

The amalgam replacing dentist did not inform me there was a complication in removing one of the fillings and she basically eviscerated the lingual side of that tooth……… then did a completely rookie job of refilling it.

crybaby

It definitely sounds like the dentist dropped the ball here. If they did that much work on your tooth, they should've kept you in the loop about potential issues, especially with reshaping it. Regular check-ups should've been a part of the plan, especially after such extensive work. It’s frustrating that it took four years for you to find out about the decay. I’d recommend bringing this up with another dentist for a second opinion and possibly considering filing a complaint if you feel the original dentist was negligent.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122737222#Comment_122737222

considering filing a complaint if you feel the original dentist was negligent.

Well they were negligent in not telling me to keep on eye on the work done as a certain complication occurred.

But how would one go about filing a complaint?

And what could the complainant expect to come of it?

Jim_Hodge

I'll ask again. How many times have you been to the dentist in the intervening 4 years?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738258#Comment_122738258

I don't understand how that's relevant?

I've gone 10 years in the past without seeing a dentist (though usually every few years only), then when I get checked up, "alright your teeth are wonderful, you obviously know how to take care of them, see the hygienist if you wish".

I didn't go back for another check up in that time period, because I had no idea the affected tooth had been reshaped and issues might arise.

Guess why?

Cause the treating dentist completely neglected to mention that a small occlusive filling, had just turned into a massive semi-tooth operation and it had been entirely re-shaped.

2nd molar, right in the back of my mouth, how was I to know any issues would materialize? And the cavity occurred between the teeth, so it's not like I could feel anything whilst brushing etc.

………

I get it, "you didn't go for your routine check ups every six months".

Trust me I would have had no issue doing so, if I were given the slightest indication I should have paid closer attention to that.

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738352#Comment_122738352

Absolutely fine. But you'll have a hell of a job succeeding in a complaint if you only showed issues four years after the event and without a dental checkup in that period either. If you can't see the relevance then there's no more to be said.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738372#Comment_122738372

Well it raises the issue of, how does a patient raise a complaint?

I see the relevance, but conversely I think my position isn't invalid.

I wouldn't be experiencing this if the treating dentist gave so much as the mildest heads-up, "we had to do a little extra drilling around that tooth to get the old filling out. Make sure to drop back in 12 months so we can confirm all is well".

con747

Start here for what it's worth.

https://www.dentist.ie/your-oral-health/dental-complaints.6172.html

https://www.dentalcouncil.ie/patient-information/making-a-complaint

Luna84

You seem to know a bit about teeth as I didn't understand some of the dentist talk in the OP.

Also how did you find out the roots extend into sinus cavity?

Back to OP I have no idea why you got that work done or as you say sweet talked into it. Did you never hear the saying if it's not broke do not try and fix it. If it was me I wouldn't have got that work done if it was perfectly fine in the first place.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738475#Comment_122738475

how did you find out the roots extend into sinus cavity?

2nd molar.

As to getting the amalgam replaced, probably the most foolish thing I've ever done.

Actually no, I've done at least one thing that was significantly more foolish, but I just got lucky with that.

Definitely paying heavily for this sideways move though.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122738455#Comment_122738455

Cheers.

First step according to that link is to raise it with the clinic in question.

I got to be honest, this dental situation has really knocked the hell out of me, it'll probably take a few weeks before I have the pep to write a complaint, then deal with the inevitable defensive posture the clinic will adopt and back and forth with them I'll be obliged to engage in.