Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in Pennsylvania

Dental Malpractice? Dentist cracks tooth inserting pin!

I had a sensitive tooth, the dentist took x-rays and found that there was some decay under an existing filling. The decay looked extensive and removing it may end up in root canal and installing a crown on the tooth.

Well, when removing the decay, he did end up going into the nerve and a root canal was performed that day. He set a temporary filling in the tooth. After 1 day the temporary filling he put in fell out, I called the office - they said as long as I was not in any pain I would be ok until I came back. On the 1st visit to prep for the crown he cleaned out the tooth and drilled to insert a ''pin''. Upon inserting the pin(with quite abit of force?) I felt a quick sharp pain straight through the tooth. He put in another temporary filling, took x-rays again and I have to come back for phase 2. A week later, I am positive that the tooth is split. I am feeling the same sharp pain and tooth is in two distinct pieces. I do not want to go back to this dentist. My question is what is the next step I should take? I don't believe a cracked tooth can be crowned - it may have to be removed - then what? a bridge or implant? Who's to pay? Should I see a Lawyer now? Another Dentist? How so I document everything?


Asked on 10/23/04, 9:07 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Michael Mullen Fine & Staud

Re: Dental Malpractice? Dentist cracks tooth inserting pin!

The best plan right now is to seek another dentist who will evaluate your present condition and determine if the first dentist committed malpractice. Do not delay. I know a couple of dentists who would be pleased to see you.

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Answered on 10/25/04, 7:58 am
Richard Teitell Richard K. Teitell, Esquire, P.C.

Re: Dental Malpractice? Dentist cracks tooth inserting pin!

It would be a good idea for you to get an evaluation by another dentist, since you've lost confidence in the original dentist. 1st, try to find out the status of your tooth - your guess may, or may not be correct. 2d, most local dentists will not tell you if they think the 1st dentist did something incorrectly. But the 2d dentist may give you an idea if what happened to your tooth is a known risk of the procedure performed by the 1st dentist, & should give you an opinion on the correct treatment procedure at this time. If after getting a 2d opinion you still think the 1st dentist did something wrong, you need to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney. My office handles these case. Please feel free to contact me.

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Answered on 10/23/04, 6:42 pm


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