The root canal was about 50% complete (according to the dentist) or 50% incomplete depending on how you think about it. The tool he was using was a long straight piece of metal, similar to a thin needle...I believe he was using to scrape, clean...or something. It broke off and he said that he couldn't get it out, that I would need to see a specialist to retrieve the broken tool and finish the root canal. The main problem is, I believe, and I think they neglected to tell me...that the tool is embedded in the root/nerve. Every time I touch my tooth...it hurts like hell. Sending a shock of pain up my jaw and into my neck, causing my mouth to involuntarily bounce open and making it almost impossible to eat and sleep. I have tried all different types of over the counter pain meds and nothing helps. I was prescribed 10 vicodin, and they worked great, but I have run out. I'll probably be going back to get another prescription, seeing as my appt with the specialist isn't for another 1.5weeks. Just touching the tooth with my tongue is excruciating. They assured me that this was "normal" and happens "more than you think." But I'm wondering, how normal...and for this much pain, it can't be healthy. I'm beginning to think about seeing a personal injury lawyer and see what they say. This is freaking me out and i haven't eaten a solid meal in days. I'm surviving on liquids. I wake up every 30mins to an hour, like I've been punched in the face cause I lay the wrong way or bite down. This is horrible. What should I do?
I read about this on the inet from people in a similar situation, apparently it does happen more than you might think. It was a file that was broken off, and I imagine that since the root canal was only partially complete, is why I'm feeling pain. Also, from what I've read, I'm worried it may be infected, or getting infected...which means they would have to extract the tooth anyway. And i didn't mean to imply that the dentist left me hanging, they did arrange the specialist appt, but it is 10 days out. I plan on speaking with my dentist tomorrow and see what he has to say about this, any advice...maybe he can look at it. Might just want it extracted now, rather than pay for both down the line. Pretty sure I signed paperwork limiting their liability if something like this were to happen...even if not, suing would probably not be an option considering its commonality. Just wondering why "reporter" thinks this is a "fairy-tale" and not possible??
Answer by energized
OMG that sounds like a horror story! Call a lawyer.
Answer by Alex
Sue his ass for everything he's got.
Answer by Tye
Sue like sh*t
Answer by mithila
AAAARRRRGGHHHH!!
Of course see a lawyer.
But, before that, get yourself treated. How can you possibly carry on in this condition? Accidents (no pun intended) happen, but couldn't your dentist have suggested the next step to take? Can't he/she refer you to the right person to deal with this situation?
This is just such a totally incredible situation to be in. I can't imagine my dentist leaving me to fend for myself after having done something like this.
All the best. Take care.
Answer by «♥» U R Loved «♥»
That is very uncool of your dentist putting his mistake on someone else to relieve!! I do believe you have a law suit,but in the meantime,i would definitely call around and get a sooner appt. if you can,this is an emergency and you should not have to keep medicating yourself because he messed up! This actually angers me. (It was the file that broke off).
Answer by reporter
this is a fairy tale. what your talking about cannot happen. stop trolling.
Answer by Tony
You cannot sign away all of your rights to sue, also it is an adhesion contract, and you lack special knowledge necessary to understand the contract. Don't worry about the commonality of the problem occurring (that is usually a good thing for you not the doctor) nor whatever liability provisions you signed. You STILL HAVE RIGHTS.
If the dentist committed actionable malpractice or otherwise breached any IMPLIED warranties...or did something other than what a reasonable dentist would have done under the circumstances, then you will GET MONEY.
Even still, the PI lawyer will write a "demand letter" to the dentist's malpractice insurance company, and then the insurance company might just pay whatever the lawyer demands in order to get you off their backs b/c litigation is itself very expensive. That is, its cheaper and easier just to pay you X dollar amount demanded rather than try to defeat you at trial. And the PI atty should know what to ask for and how to ask for it.
Just call a PI lawyer, he will tell you what can and cannot be done...but whatever u get in gross, the atty gets will take 30-40%. This is the atty's fee (called a contingency fee, meaning the fee is contingent upon collecting any money form the dentist)..but u still end up with more money than u otherwise wold have had.
At trial, you could get money to pay the costs to remedy the tooth, plus money for pain, lost wages from work, and maybe even punitive damages which are the big dollars (but thats doubtful). All of this will be factored into the demand letter and the response to the demand from the insurance company. So even if everyone goes for the cheaper option, you still may be able to pull a solid amount from the situation.
Try to go to the biggest PI firm locally, if not a "big" one near you then find the nearest one that is "big". Basically, you want a firm with at least 10 or 20 attys (as a ballpark estimate). If there is a PI firm with many more lawyers than that, then it will probably be a solid firm to go with. The reason is so that you know they have experience and reputation. As always, not all lawyers are good ethical lawyers. But big firms will usually not risk their reps feeding you a line of bull.
Remember, that the point is not to go to trial. The point is to get the dentist's insurance to just do a payout to get you off their backs. However, if the atty thinks you can get a lot more at trial then he may push that angle (though I don't think that will occur). Just talk to an PI atty and he will give u the lowdown. From there you can decide what you want to do. Right now, you don't know enough to make a proper decision.
TALK TO A GOOD LAWYER
What do you think? Answer below!
Orignal From: My dentist broke a tool off in my tooth during a root canal. What should I do?
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