Wrong Tooth Extraction

In today’s world, dentists are more interested in making money and less concerned about patient care and well being. As a result, dentists are seeing more patients and spending less time with each patient. Needless to say, mistakes resulting in patient harm are bound to happen.

One very common mistake is that dentists are routinely taking out the wrong tooth. Once again, this happens because dentists are rushing and not taking the time to accurately and properly examine their patients.

The wrong tooth being extracted can occur in many different situations.

Tooth Extractions

For example, when a patient is referred to an oral surgeon for a tooth extraction, the patient is given a referral card by his general dentist indicating what tooth needs to be extracted. Instead of reading the prescription card carefully, the oral surgeon simply looks into the patient’s mouth and extracts a tooth he believes is bad and causing the patient pain. Since the patient is numb, the patient doesn’t realize the oral surgeon took out the wrong tooth until they get home and look into their mouth.

Another common event resulting in the wrong tooth being extracted is when a patient is referred by an orthodontist to his general dentist or oral surgeon to have various baby teeth removed for orthodontic purposes. Once again, instead of carefully reading the prescription card and identifying the exact teeth that need to be extracted, the general dentist or oral surgeon rushes and negligently removes the wrong tooth.

No one likes going to the dentist. Dentistry is painful, uncomfortable and expensive. What makes the situation even worse is when a mistake like extracting the wrong tooth occurs. Now the patient needs more painful, uncomfortable and expensive dental work to correct the problem.

When a wrong tooth is extracted, to correct the problem, the patient will need a dental implant and crown placed. Implant dentistry is painful and very expensive. There is no guarantee that it will even work. Further, additional treatment maybe needed in the future.

If you or someone you know has had the wrong tooth extracted or been the victim of dental malpractice, you need to contact the only dental malpractice attorney who is both a practicing dentist and attorney, Brendan F. Mulligan, D.M.D., Esquire, to make sure that you are fully compensated for your injuries, damages, pain and suffering, out of pocket expense, and future care and treatment costs.