Dentist pulled wrong two permanent teeth from 11 yo daughter.?

Question

My 11 year old got braces yesterday. While an assistant was finishing up, the orthodontist asked me to follow him to his office. He informed me that the dentist had pulled the wrong 2 teeth. He had sent orders over for him to pull the 2nd bicuspids, but he pulled the first. He said the end result will eventually be the same, he just needs to map out a new plan of action and will take a bit more difficulty to get the teeth to go where they are suppose to, more time and more work with bands. What are my options? I was so sick to my stomach that a well respected dentist had pulled the wrong two teeth!! I didn t even know how to respond. I have called the dentist office and explained the whole thing and I am waiting a call back. What should i expect from them?

Answer 1

I'm surprised the orthodontist would even tell you, as it is such an easy adjustment. As others have said the protocol your orthodontist recommended is far less common. My wife, an orthodontist, read the comments of your orthodontist and said "that is ridiculous" She also said, a good orthodontist puts brackets on teeth first and leaves them off the ones they want out so this kind of thing can not happen. As a dentist and having pulled many teeth for ortho, I rarely get a case that doesn't already have brackets placed, this avoids human error. Sounds like your orthodontist should learn not only patient management skills and professional management skills (no one would normally throw a colleague that refers them business under the bus like that) but also could learn some clinical skills. I would be wondering about the ortho more than the dentist or oral surgeon!!



One reason it's great to have all the docs in the same office like ours. We literally talk about the patient together right before we walk into the room. Often both myself, the pediatric doc, and/or orthodontist will all be standing together examining the patient and discussing the plan. http://www.bauersmiles.com/

Answer 2

As a dentist, it is not standard to extract second bicuspids. 1sts are almost always removed because then only the anterior teeth, which have small, narrow roots have to be moved back. Moving both the first bicuspids and the anteriors is more difficult. It seems that the oral surgeon did the much more standard thing. Perhaps there is a reason that the orthodontist wanted the seconds removed, but again, this is not standard. Size is not going to be much of a concern.



You can go crazy and sue, but it will takes YEARS and you may get a few thousand dollars, if negligence can be determined. As it stands, both are apologetic and will likely be very accommodating to you to appease you.

Answer 3

You did the right thing which was to first call and explain to the dentist what happened. 99% of problems can be resolved this way, and it looks like yours did. the dentist apologized, refunded all money, and is contacting the orthodontist to see if there is anything that he needs to do treatment wise to help him out with the new ortho treatment plan. A mistake was made. A mistake was owned up to, and now everyone is working to ensure the best possible outcome. Seems like the situation was handled perfectly by you, the dentist, and the orthodontist.



Ortho asking for the 2nd premolars instead of the first--very very rare. I can see how it would be easy to take a quick glance at the treatment request sheet and think your eyes saw the very common request for extraction of first premolars.

Answer 4

Thank you. Both the dentist and orthodontist are very well respected. The dentist called me back and was so apologetic. In his 38 years of practice, he has never made that mistake. He is reimbersing for the extractions and will call the orthodontist again and see if the treatment of braces will now be longer or a lot more difficult. Sometimes a heartfelt apology and human compassion go a long way. I'm ok with our decision.

Answer 5

I would ask to see the orthodontist's request for teeth to be removed, verify that the wrong teeth were pulled, and ask for you and your insurance to not be charged for the extractions and any other charges such as nitrous oxide or any sedation beyond local anesthesia as it is included in the price of the extractions. As your daughter would have had discomfort, soreness, or pain no matter which teeth were pulled then there aren't any damages for pain and suffering. I would get written documentation of the orthodontist's request for treatment and a printout of what treatment was done and file a complaint with the dental board in your state. If you incurr any additional fees with the orthodontist for the change in his/her treatment then get documentation of this and demand the dentist pay for this. I doubt the orthodontist will need to charge you anything additional. Most importantly, I would find a new dentist ASAP.

Answer 6

Extracting the second premolars can sometimes result in less space than first premolar extraction.

But if the orthodontist is competent and experienced, it shouldn't be a major issue.



Find out exactly where the error occurred -- ask to look at the original extraction request. Then base your follow-up on that. If the prescription was written correctly and the dentist was in error, you should consider finding a new dentist who pays more attention to treatment requests.

Answer 7

Probably not much, though if their error results in the orthodontics to cost more you could ask them to cover the difference. Your best option is to change dentists unless they have proof the orthodontist's orders were unclear or incorrect.

Answer 8

I would not stress over this. It changes the way the orthodontist will treat your child but in the hands of a good orthodontist, the results should be the same. It may take longer but it is not a catastrophe.

Answer 9

I would ask them for the whole process to be free to me. A mistake like that could cost them a whole lot in malpractice. Get a full disclosure contract in writing for the full service to be pro bono.

Answer 10

File a lawsuit

Answer 11

Did you sign a disclaimer or anything? If so, get a copy of it, little to no explanation and contact and call a lawyer.

Answer 12

how was he supposed to know exactly which teeth to remove

Answer 13

Get the hospital to fire the idiot and sue him 666666666 Euros, (just convert that to US dollars).

Answer 14

Sue his ***. Damn, what a dumbass

Answer 15

lol

Answer 16

SUE THE BASTARD