Three years ago my son (trying to be Evil Knievel) did a face plant on the side walk. My ex wife took him directly to emerg they sent him home and told her to schedule an appointment with his dentist the following day. His two front teeth lay straight back in his head pointed towards his throat. I had specified that I wanted him to see a dental surgeon Before any attempts at removing his teeth were made (based on the fact the teeth were no where near ready to come out on there own) Well she pulled them in total disregard to my wishes and billed me close to $600.00 for her work. Well today He saw a dental surgeon who now says he needs work done to the sum of $3000.00 and maybe more down the road. Think I was right then. he will however not let this fall back on the other dentist says his jaw is narrow Well no kidding he lost his two front teeth 3 years ago so of coourse everything is going to move to fill the gap. So a quick cal to his dentist (not the same one who pulled his teeth) to have him referred to someone who who specializes in children'* oral surgery out of town was in order. DO not get me wrong I have no problems spending the money when it comes to my son I wouldn't think twice. But I feel some of the responsibility shold Fall back on his original dentist who didn't listen in the first place.



End of RANT...

I'm not sure there is anything you can do. 3 years is a long time.

Back in about '72, but my brother jumped on my back one time in the garage, and I landed front 2 testh first (which the adult ones had just come in). Completely shattered. They ground em down to nubs, and put on permanent caps. I've had to have 'em changed a few times since then (although very rare, they do fall out sometimes). But you mentioned that they pulled em completely, so I don't know what your options are.

But I know the cost for my work wasn't anywhere near what you got quoted, even with inflation.

But, as you said, at this point the important thing is the kid. Shop around as much as you can, but if it means your son can smile without being self concious.... the $ really are secondary.

I know I'm not telling you anything you havn't already thougt about. Best of luck with all this..... money sucks.

- Matt

I am at no point afraid to spend the money... My point is that I had asked that the dentist at the time consult a dental surgeon she DID not said it would be fine well it isn't. and the specialist he saw today will not comment on weather or not it would have made a difference at the time.... I'm just sick of Doctors not listening its a common problem around here and it'* about time someone did something about it.

I know there are far worse cases locally.. Like the 14 month old baby who was sent home with nothing more then sniffles to later die in her mothers arms, I do not remember the problem but the ME said if a proper examination had been done she had a 70% chance of living. Or the man who was over dosed when not 15 minutes before he was medicated by his doctor only to be given the same medication again by an under qualified nurse who couldnt properly read the charts.. Just a few examples.

The thing I can not get out of my head was the dentist saying to me at the time (I'm a dentist i do this for a living there is no need to call in a specialist Just shut up and let me do my job).

I'm not trying to make something out of nothing but im sure there is not limit to medical malpractice if this falls into that category and it'* not like im talking about a lawsuit but if the next surgeon agrees this could have been avoided she should come good for the cost.

You have said that money is not the issue, understandable, but how much is insurance going to help with?

I don't know a lot about dentistry, but the ones I have seen usually give the patient the options and let the patient decide what they want done.

I have had two teeth pulled but it was at my request. It was little more than -
"Can you pull those two top wisdom teeth?"
"Yes, but let us do an exam first.... OK, they are bad, lay down and we will start..."

Dental problems really suck.

You can't claim any form of malpractice against the dentist/surgeon that yanked them against your instructions?

IMO, its you as the parents fault for letting the doctor even touch your kids mouth without further examination if you thought you would have been told different by someone more experienced.

On my 16th birthday I did a nice superman act over the handle bars of my bike. I split my chin open pretty good. Sat in the ER for like 5 hours waiting for the oncall plastic surgen to get there. Even if he wasn't going to stich it (which he did) we wanted his opinion. Sure any person with half a brain could have stiched it back up, but almost 5 years later, you would never know unless I told you and you looked for it.

point, you should have taken you son to the specialist no matter what the dentist said, before you allowed the dentist to do anything but give an opinion.

I guess for christmas he can wish for 2 front teeth (ok that was bad)

Well that was the plan... BUT you need a referral here to do anything like that. that was my original plan see a dental surgeon And I firmly believe he should have seen one then and maybe we wouldnt be seeing ONE now.

Why would need a referal, sounds stupid to me. I guess on the bright side technology has come far enough along that he wont be toofless, it will just cost a lot.