Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 11/4/2008

Question
I have been seeing this dentist since Aug '05. Have spent $9141. Have come to the end of my rope with errors. The top bridge did not fit right, caused pressure on the roof of my mouth. He adjusted it several times to no avail. Finally agreed to remake it. I heard him tell his assistant to order it with thin bands instead of the huge amount of silver which was pressing on the roof of my mouth. When the new bridge came in larger than the one before, I questioned him. He said that we had only discussed the POSSIBILITY of the small bands across the roof of my mouth. It's actually marginally better feeling than the one before, but, I still can't leave it in for prolonged periods (2-3 hours) without discomfort. The tooth behind the 'canine' on the upper left in the bridge is another pointy tooth, not the multisurface grinding kind of tooth like on the other side of my mouth. On the lower right, I have one less tooth than on the left. The lower right portion of the bridge dips down way low and the caps above it are too long so it all comes together when I chew, but, it doesn't look right. Lower right, 4 from the middle, had a root canal. The filing is grey instead of the color of the cap. He's such a sweet, nice man who gives every indication of being professional and competent until the end result. What should I do?  

Answer
Hi Karen

You need to speak to him about all of your concerns - put it in a letter if you wish, and see what his response is.

If you are not happy with his response then get a second opinion.  Then dependant on what the second opinion says you are better armed to tackle your dentist.

Regards

Tony Appleton