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Dentist Placed an Implant Knowing it Would Fail

I was going to get a dental implant. My dentist said he’d done quite a few of them and that I was a great candidate. I was thrilled to be getting a tooth that would be permanent and had heard great things about implants. When I woke up from the surgery he told me that I didn’t have enough bone for them to succeed. But, for some reason he placed the implant anyway. Now he’s saying that he wants me to remove it and get a dental bridge because it won’t last long. Two things about this I have questions about. First, should I have to pay for him to remove it if he placed it knowing that it would fail? Second, am I doomed to getting a dental bridge or is it still possible for me to get a dental implant?

Gerald

Dear Gerald,

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I’m aghast at the lack of ethics your dentist is showing here. I’m going to answer both your questions, starting with the second one. Unless there is a serious health issue that you have not mentioned, there should be no problem with you getting a dental implant. However, you won’t be able to do it with this dentist.

As for your first question, no, you shouldn’t have to pay for the removal. Imagine if you purchased a new stove and then after delivering it the seller tells you that “Oh, by the way, it doesn’t work. I recommend you remove it and get a different one.” You wouldn’t put up with that at all. Don’t put up with it from your dentist. One of the basic tenants of dental procedures is that there is an expectation it will work. Placing it knowing that it would fail violated that.

Instead of asking for a refund, I want you to find a skilled implant dentist. One who has advanced post-doctoral training in implants and have your original dentist pay for the removal and replacement. This will also mean that you will need an additional procedure, known as bone grafting, but it will be worth it.

This blog is brought to you by Douglas, AZ Dentist Dr. Gilbert Tostado.
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