Root filling gone wrong

[nic3c]

My dentist recently did my root filling but an instrument snapped and got stuck in the root of my tooth. He said he can't get it out and only a specialist can which will cost me �650. If i leave it in he said it would get infected and my tooth would need pulling out. My dentist is refusing to give me my money back or pay towards the treatment i need to correct it. Has this happened to anyone else? What can i do? Thanks.

[happy_face]

I worked in a dental surgery for 4 years and I have seen this happen. The instruments: Files and drill bits are so fine in order to get down the roots and with time they do wear and break. Just like any tool would.
However, never have I come across a dentist neglecting to rectify the problem. That is just plain rude.

I would definitely contact the BDA and also follow what Morello said. Dentists should go through your treatment plan on the first visit, show you your xrays and explain pros and cons of everything. Then AFTER all that you sign a consent form.

Good luck

[crazycathy2]

My MIL had an op where an instrument (I think it was) broke during the procedure she was awake but had a local - private - she sued the private hospital I think (but could have been the surgeon not actually sure) and he sued or got compensation from the medical supplier.

Can't see there would be much difference. Your dentist must have insurance

[MrXLA]

Its nice to see that people have been very supportive of nic3c and extremely...err...helpful with regards to what she should do.

First truely helpful thing I could suggest would be to request that the dentist refer you to the nearest dental hospital and the appropriate endodntic specialist there. This usually would not attract a charge as they are all NHS/teaching hospitals (but there would tend to be a longer waiting time).

Okay there has been alot of noise about going to the papers and the usual nonsense from people ignorant of medicine/dentistry.

First:
- dentist has carried out a procedure and has charged for professional time (as do doctors, lawyers, accountants, vets etc...)
- root canal treatment in anyone's hands is not 100% guranteed FACT (even an endontic specialist)
- occasionally files fracture/separate particularly in curved canals that are difficult to instrument, you could argue that this possiblty should be discussed as part of consent but its not so common that every dentist would discuss it (nor would it change the outcome)
- the dentist has admitted that there has been an instrument separation THIS IS NOT A CRIME
- not having the post graduate training, and equipment for file retrieval is NOT A CRIME
- I would argue that in some cases as a gesture of good will the dentist would refund professional fees
- Reemember however that under different circumstances if the dentist had warned about instrument separation (and I''m unsure wether this is appropriate in every case) then there would be absoultely nothing to discuss here
- HOWEVER he/she is NOT negligent
- It would have been serious professional misconduct to have pretended that the separation had not occurred
- However the dentist has acted professionally firstly by admitting the problem and discussing/arranging an appropriate referral

[MrXLA]

- I think it would be reasonable to ask for an NHS referral
- by all means take further legal advice especially with regards to fees however I think it isunlikley that you would be successful in a case that proposed the dentist was negligent because from what you have described they are not

[MrXLA]

I think the reason that this has everyone fired up is first that most people have a dislike for dentists and secondly because of the fees involved.

However the dentist involved cannot be negligent as a result of an outcome which is a kown (although relatively small) complication of the procedure.
He/she is not negligent for not being able to retrieve the instrument as this is usually the role of a specialist

[MrXLA]

Oh yeah and whoever it was please don't liken a group of professionals who generally fall into at least the top five percent (higher in some cases) in the UK for academic achievement/intelligence. Have trained for at least 5 years at undergraduate level, with many also attaining post graduate qualifications and diplomas and possess the title Dr. to mechanics???