Our client, a 55 year old woman from the South East, was awarded £32,750 in an out of court settlement after the defendant provided faulty bridges.
In 2007 Mrs E visited her dentist because she was concerned about the large gaps between some of her bottom teeth. Her dentist referred her to an orthodontist for advice. Mrs E attended the orthodontist but wanted to get another opinion before committing herself to extensive dental treatment, and chose to attend a different dental practice nearby.
She first went to the dental practice in March 2008 when a treatment plan was drawn up. Shortly after the appointment, the dentist she saw left the practice and Mrs E was placed under the care of the defendant, Dr D. In May 2008, Dr D fitted two bridges in her lower jaw, both 4 teeth long, each to replace one tooth.
Shortly after the bridges were fitted Mrs E experienced pain and difficulty eating. In July 2008 she went back to her original dentist with pain around some of the teeth beneath the bridges.. When her dentist examined her, he noted that the bridges didn’t fit properly and advised Mrs E that the bridges placed by Dr D would need to be removed.
Mrs E was referred to see a root canal specialist who noted that the left bridge was loose and painful and advised that the bridges would need to be removed.
In 2010 Mrs E attended another specialist who confirmed that the bridges Dr D had provided were unsatisfactory and would need to be replaced, possibly by implant supporting bridge work.
As a result of Dr D’s inappropriate bridgework, Mrs E suffered pain prolonged pain and required extraction of the teeth supporting the bridges.
While Dr D accepted liability, Mrs E is pleased with the assistance provided by the Dental Law Partnership and intends to use the damages to replace the teeth she has lost with dental implants.