Expert: Benjamin Schwartz, DDS FAGD - 11/3/2008

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,

When dealing with complex restorative issues, it is more difficult to get the desired results. In addition, if the lab communication is not top-notch, then the laboratory can be to blame for many of the problems.

It doesn't seem as though your dentist has done anything ethically or morally wrong.  He may not be the world's best dentist, but he definitely is giving it his all, and has done what he can for you. Please remember, every time he does a procedure on you, or sends something to the lab, he gets billed. So he has most likely lost money on remaking the bridge, but did it to appease you.

At this point, if you still are not comfortable with him, then you are free to find another dentist. In regards to getting money back from him, I am not so sure. It doesn't sound like he did anything wrong that warrants a refund. You can ask him, and see what he says. However, I don't know if he will be too willing, as he already lost money on the remake of the bridge.

In summary, you can look for a new dentist. It doesn't mean that the new one will be any better, though.

Good luck!
Please let me know if you need more help.