Wisdom Teeth Removal - Filling "Accidentally" Fell out. Responsibility?

pandaman on 06/09/2017 - 20:31
Last edited 06/09/2017 - 20:32

Gday all

I've recently had all 4 wisdom teeth removed and during surgery a filling had fell out. This filling was near where one of the wisdom teeth was removed.

Now, his receptionist emailed me and said i'd need to see my regular dentist to get it fixed.

my question is, why on earth am i responsible for this? I've accepted the conditions that he could paralyse me etc, but if hes doing a hack job why am i paying for these extra costs?

has anyone had a similar experience where they had to bear the these costs?

  • he never warned me this would happen during his pre check up
  • i looked at everything I've signed and there's nothing that clarifies this at all
  • i have googled and searched this forum and nothing there

I haven't gone back to see him yet as it's only been about 4 days, but I wanted to know my position in case i need to bring this up with him.

Thanks guys

Poll Options

  • 11
    Surgeon
  • 11
    Me, The Patient
Health & Beauty

Comments

  • sp3ctr41 on 06/09/2017 - 20:41

    Filling was probably bonded to the wisdom tooth?

    • pandaman on 06/09/2017 - 20:49

      No, I went in it was perfectly intact. On Tuesday I get an email from receptionist saying it fell during surgery and I need to see my dentist to fix it… Which means we're not paying for it.

      They've admitted responsibility if anything. Not sure how useful that will be though

  • Sage on 06/09/2017 - 20:50
    -1

    What's your concern?
    If you can go through getting your wisdom teeth removed, getting the filling fixed shouldn't be a big deal.

    • pandaman on 06/09/2017 - 20:54
      +4

      Concern is money if that wasn't obvious . It pales into comparison to what I paid for my wisdom teeth and the pain, but that's not the point.

      If I go get my car tyres replaced and the mechanic breaks a tail light whilst doing it, who pays for that?

      I don't even know yet if it's gonna be a simple filling, could be more.

      I just wanted to know where I stand so was hoping (unfortunately) someone else went through something similar

      • bobbified on 06/09/2017 - 21:17
        +2

        I don't even know yet if it's gonna be a simple filling, could be more

        Weren't you there when the filling was originally done? haha

        To be honest, it sucks, but I wouldn't want to argue or piss off a dude and then let him hold drills and other spinning tools in my mouth.

        Normal fillings aren't too expensive and a portion of it is covered by health insurance if you have that.

        • pandaman on 06/09/2017 - 21:20

          Dental surgeon who removed wisdom teeth is different from the guy that did the filling initially.

          Yes I was there when that filling went in 2 months ago but I'm thinking could it be worse now ; more than the filling got displaced

          I was also there when I had my wisdom teeth removed by the surgeon (NOT my filling dentist)

          To get filling done I will go back to dentist, not surgeon.

          Sure it's not expensive, like I said it pales into comparison, but I am on ozbargain and plus there is the principle.

        • endotherm on 06/09/2017 - 22:20
          +3

          @pandaman: I think this case is more like you got your car tyres replaced but when they dropped your car off the jack the rear view mirror fell off the windscreen due to poor adhesion. Probably collateral damage and nothing that the surgeon directly caused, therefore not liable. Seeing that this filling is only two months old, you would have a very good case of going back to your original dentist for a warranty repair. A filling should be durable and last longer than 2 months, regardless of how much shaking your mouth had to endure in surgery. It is like anything else you buy and is covered by the Australian Consumer Law; it must be durable and expected to last for a reasonable period. Chances are it wasn't bonded properly anyway and would have fallen out sooner rather than later.

        • pandaman on 06/09/2017 - 23:00

          @endotherm:

          Better analogy sure, I'll accept that.

          Yeah that would be interesting if I do, I guess it's hard to have the checks in place for these kind of things. It isn't exactly a faulty fridge I bought.

          I was searching for an answer I wanted but alas the realistic one has been more prevalent in the answers here (poll aside)

          Cheers mate

  • Money Maker Mike on 06/09/2017 - 21:06
    +5

    Hey pandaman, fully understand your concerns. Just wanted to give my 2 cents from a dentist's perspective. When we need to remove a tooth we apply controlled forces to the tooth with our specialised instruments in order to prise it out. Often these forces can be slightly transferred to the adjacent teeth, which is perfectly fine and does not cause any damage. It's likely that these transferred forces have dislodged an old filling - if these forces are enough to dislodge a filling then it probably needed to be replaced sooner or later. Take this with a grain of salt as I don't have any other information about the procedure that was done but this is what I think probably happened. Perhaps you could ask to speak directly with the surgeon that took out your wizzies. Hope you're recovering well!

    • pandaman on 06/09/2017 - 21:23
      +1

      Thanks mate, I kind of got the feeling he will tell me that, collateral damage if you will.
      I'll see my dentist before going back to the surgeon but the dentist wants my money anyway and will tell me it's my responsibility so he doesn't give two shits who pays, my money is easier to get . It's the only reason I'm asking here to see from a neutral perspective.

    • airal3rt on 06/09/2017 - 22:56
      -1

      As a dentist what do you think about wisdom teeth that cause no pain but are only half emerged from the gum? I'm 26 and my wisdom teeth have been like this for years, I'd prefer to leave them but if being partly covered by my gum could lead to an infection it may be prudent to have them removed. Also, is there any chance this is indicative there isn't enough room in my mouth and they could push my other teeth out of alignment over time? I lucked into very straight teeth so I'd obviously want to avoid that…

      Thanks for your input

    • Sweet3st on 06/09/2017 - 23:41

      i think OP said the filling was only 2 months old…

  • eatwell365 on 07/09/2017 - 04:07
    +5

    Dentist should pay patient $10k for psychological damage, pain suffering, loss of paid for work, full refund on surgery for shoddy job and damage to the adjacent filling,
    Is this in the consent form?

    Hope the dentist knew what he signed up for prior to the surgery.

    • Kangal on 07/09/2017 - 05:43

      If it was USA, the compensation would be higher.
      Just make sure your judge isn't Judy Sheindlin.

    • pandaman on 07/09/2017 - 12:34

      Sarcasm or not, have a plus!

      • eatwell365 on 07/09/2017 - 20:32
        +1

        OP, laughter is the best medicine. hope you don't mind the joke.

        Squeaky wheels get the oil.
        If the complaint is loud enough, likely you will get a freebie or discount from the dentist.
        Your toothache is just not worth his toothache.
        But prepared to find a new dentist next time.

  • onetwothreefour on 07/09/2017 - 07:00
    +1

    Out of interest, what did it cost to get your wisdom teeth pulled out?

    • theHMASfriendship on 07/09/2017 - 08:37
      +1

      I got all 4 done for around $3500, private health insurance paid some of that.

      The guy who did it is now a politician so I assume he got sick of doing wisdom teeth removals.

    • pandaman on 07/09/2017 - 12:38

      Pretty much the same as above.

      Roughly 450 to 500 per tooth (the upper were cheaper than the lower.

      Out of pocket for general anasthetic was 400 (not covered by anyone)

      1000 for same day private hospital stay.

      So depending on your health fund, you can get money back for hospital and tooth extraction. Above numbers are all if you have no cover, remove 4, go under general for same day hospital.

      • thefud on 18/09/2017 - 23:56

        Out of interest, why do people opt to be knocked out?

        I had all four of mine out, which were impacting on one side, in the chair. No pain. Back at work the next day. Minimal swelling.

        All my mates who had it done under GA had a week off work and looked like a melon had grown from their jaw line.

        • pandaman on 19/09/2017 - 08:54

          No choice. 2 of them were extremely close to the nerve.

  • garetz on 07/09/2017 - 07:37
    +1

    After your filling fell out during surgery, would you really trust that surgeon again ? I definitely wouldnt.

    • pandaman on 07/09/2017 - 12:39

      It'll be the dentist not the surgeon who'll put the filling back.

      List of people I can't trust in life is getting really long if I start putting a dental surgeon on there. Slippery slope…

  • WTF on 07/09/2017 - 12:46
    +1

    Unfortunately, OP there are some inherent risks with any medical or dental procedure. The risk is small and it is extremely unpleasant for you (and the medical/dental team) when things don't work out as planned but these things do happen. The dental person should have explained the risk to you beforehand and I assume you signed a consent form for the procedure?

    Some times things go wrong because of negligence but unless you can prove that then you may have to take it on the chin and move on. It sucks I know but such is life.

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