Dentist Messed Up My Teeth – What Can I Do?

This article is a part of our Q&A series in which we give detailed answers to our readers' questions. Have a question? Don't hesitate and send it to us to get a detailed answer!

Discovering that a dental procedure has gone awry and adversely affected your teeth can be distressing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to address the situation if you believe your dentist has made a mistake that compromised your dental health.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

• Document the Issue: Take a moment to calmly assess the situation. Document what you believe went wrong with your dental procedure. Take photographs of your teeth if there has been a visible change.
• Review Your Dental Records: Request a copy of your dental records. These can be crucial if you need to seek a second opinion or if any further action is required.
• Communicate with Your Dentist: Schedule an Appointment or Consultation. Before jumping to conclusions, it’s important to communicate with your dentist. Schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns regarding the procedure and its outcomes.
• Express Your Concerns Clearly: During the appointment, be clear and concise about why you are concerned or unhappy with the results of the procedure. Ask for an explanation of what happened and whether there is anything that can be done to rectify the issue.
• Seek a Second Opinion: Consult Another Dentist. If you are not satisfied with the response from your dentist, or if you believe that your concerns were not adequately addressed, it’s prudent to seek a second opinion from another dentist.
• Bring Your Dental Records: Take your dental records with you to the second consultation. This will give the new dentist a clear understanding of your dental history and the procedure in question.

Explore Rectification Options

• Dental Remediation: If the second dentist confirms that there was an error, discuss potential remediation options. This might include corrective procedures.
• Financial Compensation: In some cases, your original dentist may be willing to refund some or all of the costs of the original procedure, particularly if they accept that a mistake was made.

Consider Legal Action

• Consult an Attorney: If the issue is severe and has caused significant damage or distress, and you are not able to come to a resolution with the dentist, it might be appropriate to consult an attorney who specializes in medical or dental malpractice.
• Understand the Legal Process: If you decide to pursue legal action, make sure you understand the process and are prepared for the time and financial commitment that this route may entail.

Focus on Your Dental Health

Regardless of the path you take to address the issue, it’s critical to ensure that your dental health is taken care of. Follow through with any recommended remediation or corrective procedures to ensure your teeth and overall oral health are in the best possible condition.

Bottom Line

Realizing that a dental procedure didn’t go as planned can be alarming. By staying calm, communicating openly with your dentist, seeking second opinions, and understanding your options for resolution, you can make informed decisions on how to best address the issue and take steps to ensure the health of your teeth moving forward.

This Q&A series article is complete and was published on July 27, 2023, and last updated on July 27, 2023.