Root canals ...is my dentist ripping me off>?!
Question: My dentist had difficulty diagnosing the tooth on which to have a root canal ,as there were two teeth next to each other. He wound up doing the root canal on the wrong tooth, and only refunded me the fifty dollars that I paid for the filling on the tooth that actually needed the root canal. So now I have to pay for two 800$ procedures out of pocket (I have no insurance). Should I make a bigger fuss>? He only refunded the 50$ after I said something about having to pay for two..
Answers: My dentist had difficulty diagnosing the tooth on which to have a root canal ,as there were two teeth next to each other. He wound up doing the root canal on the wrong tooth, and only refunded me the fifty dollars that I paid for the filling on the tooth that actually needed the root canal. So now I have to pay for two 800$ procedures out of pocket (I have no insurance). Should I make a bigger fuss>? He only refunded the 50$ after I said something about having to pay for two..
It's been a while since I was a dental assistant - but I have been in similar situations. It is not always easy to diagnose which tooth needs the RCT - even with xrays, Tapping on the tooth, will usually cause excruciating pain on the bad tooth - but not always, and sometimes the tooth next to it will also be very sensitive making it harder to diagnose. Often there is a pustul on the outside of the gum making it somewhat easier to tell - but even then - it can still be in between two teeth - making it hard to tell!
Dentist do make errors - they are human. sometimes the symptoms are not clear, making it hard to determine which it is, or there is no definitive answer. trust me - they don't like that either.
Since you do not have insurance - it would be very nice if your dentist would work with you - especially if it is someone you have gone to for a while. If he does not - I would look around for a new dentist after this.
I know they have overhead, and they have to pay salaries and such - but he can afford to work with you and cut you a break.
I hope you find a dentist you like -- that is very important - there are some great ones out there.
sue him. thats terrible. he took away a healthy tooth?
I think a proper diagnosis and x-ray should have shown the inflammation around the tooth.
Switch dentists!
I SAY U BEAT THAT FOO
Whoa! Yes, you are getting ripped off. I would demand all of my money back and contact the BBB.org if he doesn't refund you the money.
Oh, and I would go to a different doctor for the next procedure.
P.S.
If you are intertested you DO have a legal case against him.(Probably in small claims court which is easy.) $800 is a lot of money.
That sounds absurd. The same thing happened to me...although I wasn't even having any sensitivity in my tooth. He was doing a filling on one tooth and then said the one next to it needed a root canal (he hadn't even taken Xrays!) He definitely wanted to rip us off (our insurance at least) so I understand where you're coming from. In my opinion, the dentist is the expert and it was HIS fault that he ended up doing 2 different teeth, and you shouldn't have to pay!!! If I were you, I'd pay for just one tooth and switch dentists. If he has a problem with it, take it up with a lawyer? Good luck.
Being in the dental field, a root canal would have shown on an x-ray, as each tooth has it's own root, regardless of them being located next to eachother. A root canal occurs when the root of a particular tooth is dead and needs to be taken out. I would absolutely make a fuss about this and even consider going to a different practice. If you don't have insurance anyway, request your x-ray and get another opinion from a different office. Many dentists will do unnecessary procedure to patients without insurance and then demand more money. It was not an accident to do a root canal on the wrong tooth and now that dentist is also responsible for taking out a good nerve on a good tooth. I would be furious and demand a full refund or you will contact a lawyer. Don't let yourself get taken advantage of. Hope this info helps and good luck!
He should have told you up front that you may need to have a root canal done on both teeth, and he also should have offered a discount (above & beyond the $50) to have both teeth done at once.
When the dentist did the tests on your teeth he should have done a "hot & cold" test to see you are senstitive to the different tempatures. Also a percussion test (where he taps your teeth) should have also been performed. If you are able to get a copy fo the xrays, I would and I would also consult an Endodontist ( a dentist that specializes in nothing but root canals) too see if you do in deed need another root canal for the "right" tooth.
If all else fails then I would contact your local Dental Registration (or license) board and see what they can do for you. If that doesn't work for you go and speak to a malpractice lawyer. They may be able to get you some help.
HELLO,
THE ONLY REASON FOR A ROOT CANAL ON A TOOTH IS WHEN THAT NERVE HAS HAD IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE AND THERE IS X-RAY VERIFICATION FOR A NEED OF A ROOT CANAL.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS DENTIST DID MAKE A MISTAKE AND SHOULD GIVE YOU A FULL REFUND FOR THE ROOT CANAL ON THE TOOTH WHICH DIDN'T NEED IT. IF THE DENTIST REFUSES TO COMPLY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY.
THIS IS NOT TO NECESSARILY SUE THE DENTIST, BUT TO MOTIVATE HIM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND GIVE YOU THE REFUND.