Have you ever sued a company?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
March 6, 2011 4:52pm CST
I'm thinking about suing my dentist right now. A full month after having my teeth pulled I'm still in so much pain that I still can't eat, and now I have bone spurs poking out of my gums, that is extremely painful. Also my dentures don't fit right at all. The dentist keeps telling me all of this is normal, and I need to give my dentures time to feel comfortable. Well the top dentures are totally comfortable because they fit right, I'm having no pain on top what so ever (though there is a bone spur poking through and scratching my cheek, but that only bothers me when I'm not wearing the dentures). Like I said, it's been a full month.. how long do they expect me to go without being capable of eating? I've been in there 3 times with my complaints and they keep giving me the same answer.. wait it out.
Then, after doing some research last night, I discovered that this same dental practice has coerced patients into getting procedures they didn't really need. They've told patients that their teeth needed to be pulled or have root canals because the cavities were too deep to fill. Some of these patients got a second opinion elsewhere to discover that their cavities were filable and they did not need to be pulled or have root canals.
Well, the only reason my bottom teeth were pulled was because this dentist told me my cavities were too deep to fill, and most of my bottom teeth needed to be pulled, while a few needed root canals, and only 2 teeth were okay enough to just be filled. Since I thought I had no other options, I opted to pull all the teeth and save myself from root canals now or in the future.
But these complaints have me wondering if maybe I could have just had my bottom teeth filled instead of pulling them all. Then I would not be in pain now and I'd be able to eat!
I'm thinking of scheduling an appointment with another dentist to see what they say. If they tell me I could have avoided all this.. and if they tell me these bone spurs are not as normal as I'm being led to believe.. then I probably will contact a lawyer!
Otherwise, I'll have to wait until I get a tax rebate next year and purchase a new set of dentures that actually fit properly, as my dentist won't replace them and my insurance won't cover any other sets!
Have you ever sued anyone before? Have you thought about it?
3 people like this
12 responses
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
6 Mar 11
This is horrible and yes, consider the option of suing but do it with a lawyer that will take his cut when you win. Makes them work harder. This is really awful as it looks like you may have had other options that having them all pulled. I have a partial plate for two teeth and it fits okay but I went back at least three times while they adjusted it for me. It looks like once they got their money then they are not offering any after care. You go girl. Sue them
I have never sued a company but am now getting closer to suing a lawyer
I have never sued a company but am now getting closer to suing a lawyer1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
6 Mar 11
I've heard of the problems you've had with that lawyer. I'd debate suing too if it will light a fire under his butt!
1 person likes this
I'd always want you on my side in a fight
@soapies1973 (931)
• United States
6 Mar 11
So very sorry that you are in pain. I understand because I have a tumor in my spine that is very painful.I would sue. Good luck and take care.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
7 Mar 11
Kat, is he adjusting them at all when you go in? I had an adult disabled client that we removed all of her teeth, in May. In January of the following year we were still taking her in periodically to have a new lining put in, or a bit of the plate drilled or ground off, etc. I do not know about after that, as I quit the company, but it was several months for sure. Any more most dentists refuse to pull teeth unless absolutely necessary, so I was surprised when you had this done. I figured your teeth must have been totally bad. I have never personally sued anyone. I would say get your second opinion, and if he thinks you have a case get a lawyer that will work on contingency.
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
7 Mar 11
It sounds as if the lab that makes them screwed up. The dentist did take impressions did he not? He should be getting on to the lab that made them.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Mar 11
They have a lab on site.. Yes they did do impressions, before they extracted the teeth.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I'm a former dental assistant (12 years). If you have received what are called "immediate dentures", which are dentures that are fitted immediately or within days of the extractions, this is very common to have bone spurs and ill fitting dentures. The impressions from which the denture is fabricated are taken either before the extractions have taken place, or immediately after the extractions. Either way, the gums will change significantly when the sockets have healed and any swelling will go down. Generally there will be a "reline" done within the next few months of the initial placement of the denture. An impression will be taken from which either a soft or hard reline will be done. This is usually a decision based on the amount of healing that has taken place. Adjustments for fit may need to be taken a few times after that too.
Other dentures are not "immediate". Obviously, the disadvantage of this is that you would have to go around without any teeth for a matter of weeks or months before an impression is taken for the denture. These are generally much easier to get used to as far as fit goes. They are much more accurately shaped to fit the wearer. Even non-immediate dentures require a "reline" occasionally since bone always continues to resorb over the years where teeth are missing.
As far as the need for root canals and fillings versus having extractions and dentures for most people generally comes down to the question of finances. If you have poor dental insurance or none and have only medicaid, the option chosen is generally dentures. Also, it would depend on whether the teeth in question would be more readily adaptable to a partial if they were to be saved. In other words, certain teeth are just not great to use as "anchor" teeth for partials. It would be like a "two legged table" vs. a "four-legged" one.
Hope this has helped. Don't give up. This stuff takes time to get used to. And don't call a lawyer until you have discussed all this with your dentist. Most dentists are more than willing to make you an appointment just to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!
And, no. I've never sued anyone....
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
12 Mar 11
The relign isn't going to help. Yes it will make the denture fit better.. which is still too uncomfortable to wear. My biggest issue with them, other than the pain, is that the front part juts out and makes my lip stick out like I"m Bubba Gump, and without getting a new set, nothing will fix that and it ticks me off. I realize there are disadvantages to immediate dentures.. I chose that route as 4 years ago I had to have all my top front teeth pulled and went 2 months with no dentures and was certainly not going to go that route again this time!
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
10 Mar 11
Though I've never had, I have thought of it twice. Once was with a car dealership which did not want to give my deposit back after I changed my mind on getting a car. The other was for a cellphone company who also did not want to return my deposit back after my contract expired.
After a few communications back and forth, and a threat of lawsuit that didn't amount to anything, I finally decided to write to the president of both companies. Both came back with favorable results.
In your case, if the second opinion confirms your suspicion, then I agree that you should pursue the lawsuit.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
10 Mar 11
I'm glad you didn't have to deal with the headache of suing these companies.
I've been thinking maybe this is not worth my while to sue. It's time consuming and difficult, not to mention expensive. My bone spurs are already starting to disappear, they're not coming out, more like the gums are healing around them. As long as they eventually stop causing pain that's all I'm concerned with. Unfortunately I don't think I can sue for ill fitting dentures, especially not when the company is willing to adjust them, they just aren't willing to make a new set. So, worst case scenario is I wait until taxes next year and buy myself a better fitting set from a different dentist!
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
11 Mar 11
If you are feeling sharp bones that are not coming out, then you are probaby feeling the bone that surrounded the tooth. In other words, the extraction site is similar to a crater at first and the "edges" of the craters can often be rather sharp until the sockets fills in with tissue.
@aurorastorm (1131)
• United States
7 Mar 11
I have had a lot of dental work not to the extent of what you have described, but this does not make sense. What is the dentist want you to wait for if the dentures don't fit, they don't fit waiting longer and suffering and not being able to eat is ridiculous. No dentist that is a good reputable dentist would tell you that there is nothing they can do to help your situation. I have never sued a company but it definitely seems like this practice is not doing right by their clients.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Mar 11
Annie.. I had a partial plate on top for the past 4 years and I remember it was not a picnic attempting to get used to them at first. Putting pressure on my gums in order to bite into something was quite uncomfortable.. but I got used to it in time. I was expecting the same discomfort this time.. and even expected a lot of pain at first due to the extractions.. but I did not expect to still be having trouble a month later. I thought by now I'd be a lot more comfortable with them and be capable of eating most relatively soft foods. I'm not asking to be able to bite into toffee or something else equally hard.. but I shouldn't be experiencing pain when trying to eat some bread!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Mar 11
They keep telling me that bottom plates are the hardest to adjust to. Because I keep telling them I'm not having any issues with my tops, but the bottoms hurt like crazy.. so they say "give it time, you'll adjust, you have to wear them and get used to them, all patients have this problem". Well my mom says that's a crock because when she got dentures, she was fine with her bottoms, no issues at all because they fit great.. it was the tops she had issues with because there was too big of a gap between the plate and her gums.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
7 Mar 11
No, I've never sued anyone other than being a part of a class-action suit after a motel where we'd stayed had been found to have had contaminated water which made my daughter and niece sick. We didn't have to do anything other than sign a paper saying we'd stayed there during that period of time and describe the symptoms. We got a big $500 but that was probably over 30 years ago. The lawyers took their fee off the top so I'm not sure how much they got. Quite a bit I'd guess since there had been quite a few people involved in the suit.
I have to be honest, when you first posted about having gotten your teeth all pulled and said you already had your bottom dentures in, I felt a bit concerned. It was awful to go through but when I had my teeth pulled I had the top plate put in right away but I didn't get the bottom set until my gums had all healed. Having bone spurs sticking out doesn't seem at all normal to me. I think your dentist probably pulled your teeth, at least on the bottom, unnecessarily and that he might not have known what he was doing either. I definitely would at least give an attorney a call. There are lots of them that don't charge you unless you win your case.
Annie
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Mar 11
I'm actually quite impressed he didn't break my jaw the way he was yanking on those bottom teeth. I certainly believe now that those teeth weren't ready to go and probably shouldn't have been pulled. It's so frustrating!
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
7 Mar 11
No I have not....but I had a dentist like that too...he did a root canal on a tooth then one morning I was brushing and it fell right out into the sink. I have gum disease...he wanted to put in another.....yes I said another bridge and hook it to teeth that are going to fall out soon! I quit him...I decided there was a difference between a good dentist and one that wants you to pay for their cabin on the lake....!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
8 Mar 11
Wow that's nuts! The last time I got fillings they all fell out within 5 years. I figured they must not have been done right because fillings shouldn't be falling out!
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
7 Mar 11
katsmeow1213,
Personally, I am against suing because there's really nothing good for all parties at the end of the day. In truth, the only party benefiting would have to be the lawyers.
I can sense that your current dentist is guilty of professional misconduct and if your second opinion can prove it. Then, I am sure you can easily seek monetary compensation by reporting him to your country's medical authority like the medical board.
Seeking a lawyer would (IMHO) be really unnecessary and most of all impractical.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
7 Mar 11
Typically I'm not a fan of lawsuits either because it raises costs for everyone else, but this particular company has scre*ed over a lot of people, and they need to be shut down, I don't understand why they're still a legitimate business. They even get a B+ from the Better Business Bureau.. but after my research I've found hundreds of people who have complaints about this company listed on various websites. I guess none of them have taken the time to complain to the BBB or any other legitimate company. It's infuriating!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
7 Mar 11
I am very sorry u are having such a rough time. To answer your question, no, i have never sued anyone & have never really considered it.
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
7 Mar 11
eiw. toothaches are most of the time the worst kind of pain.
anyways, why not first seek another dentist for opinion and then seek a medical lawyer ( i guess there is such..since there are corporate lawyers, there might be also medical lawyers 
) and then see what you can do to ease your situation.. having those teeth in pain always sucks 
) and then see what you can do to ease your situation.. having those teeth in pain always sucks @Koalznowly (33)
• Philippines
7 Mar 11
I agree with you. People who are not into there field would definitely think that it is just the right thing to do or that the person is correct to say that they need to remove your tooth because you have these so called dental problems if left behind. and you yourself will be left empty -handed except to agree with the procedure so you will be pain-free or free of cavities. Teeth are permanent and once removed, you can never have it again not unless you go for an artificial tooth but just another cost. Once they extract tooth on you, it is another cost. Are there any ways possible so as to save a tooth? Maybe they should also think on the welfare of the patient and not just on earning an ample amount of money...If these happens to me, i will really sue them. They should learn also. It is unethical.
