Bad crown

[creo905]

I recently had a crown done by my dentist and since then I have not been able to chew where the crown is because it is painful. I have returned to the dentist to have them correct the problem and it was pointed out to me that the problem may be caused by a piece of filling under the crown. Without my knowledge they had decided to leave this piece of filling in because it was too close to a nerve. They suspect that this piece of filling is what is causing the pain. I'm now told that they would have to destroy the crown, have a root canal done and then redo a crown... all at my expense.

I don't feel this is fair to me as I will have to pay three times the cost for their decision to leave this piece of filling in. At no point was this discussed with me during the procedure... I was not given the option to have a root canal done instead of the crown. The dentist told me that he was trying to save me the expense of a root canal by leaving the piece of filling in. If a proper assessment would have been done, or this was brought to my attention during the procedure it would have been in my best interest to have it removed and a root canal done before proceeding to create the crown.  They took a risk and now I have to pay for it.

I would prefer to find another dentist and have a second opinion.. but then this would cost me even more to have x-rays, etc.

I have confronted the dentist and asked if he can help me out with the cost and they have only offered to remove the crown free of charge. Having the root canal and a new crown is cost to me. I've already paid $1000 for this crown that has to be destroyed and will have to pay another $2000 for their decision to leave this piece of filling in.

Anyone have any advice on what I should do?

[remar]

I agree with the dental hygienist. He should have used a white filling. If they took xrays before you should have the right to have copies of them, if you want to see another dentist and take them to him. This could save on the cost. I do understand and sympathize with you as I've had a similar experience with a dentist. He should have done a root canal and placed a crown and instead he just did a huge filling extremely close to the nerve and now the tooth is dead. I have decay under the filling and have to decide soon whether to have it extracted or pay the $2000 to have it fixed. Good grief! I can't believe he was telling you that story as he was working on you. That is so unprofessional. If I were you, I would not go back to him. File the complaint and maybe try to get your money back. Even if you signed something, you were not informed before hand of all your options.  

[creo905]

Thanks for your comment. I had argued with the dentist for 30 minutes trying to have him cover the cost because I felt it was his poor judgement to leave the filling under the crown... his response was that I had signed consent before the procedure that he is not responsible... which would have been fine if it were all discussed with me and I was given options to make the decision.

I have spoken with another dental hygenist and she told me that no dentist she knows would make that decision to leave the filling under the crown. She told me that Amalgam fillings can be harmful to my health and if it was not properly treated I could develop serious problems. She said he should have remove all the silver filling... then put some type of mesh and then build up the tooth with a white filling... then the crown.

I'm going to return to the dentist to request an xray done ( they could have done since the crown to see whats going on) and argue with him some more. If they still won't help me out, I will take my xrays to another dentist and get a second opinion. At that point I will submit a formal complaint about this dentist.

I should have ran when this dentist was telling me where he did his apprenticeship.... at a Jail !!! And the inmates would bring him their jewellery for him to melt down to make fillings for them !!! I was half way through the crown procedure as he was telling me this. Unbelievable.

[remar]

They should have given you all the information before anything was done and let you decide what you wanted to do. Yes, I would have cost less to have everything done at one time. I was just quoted a price to have a root canal and a crown. It's around $2000. I think they should do the new crown and root canal at no extra cost to you. It was their fault, not yours. I wish I could give you more advice. I hate to see this happen to people. I would think they would want to keep your business and be willing to bring the cost down even more. I really hope that happens.