Implant #2 failed.

[Trudijane]

A month ago, my upper right molar Implant failed due to an infection. I also had the most ungodly pain prior to it being pulled by my periodontist. It was after I got billed for the removal of the implant that got me upset - as I did not expect that at all. And, here is why.

2 years ago, I lost my upper left implant. Shortly after it was put in, my dentist discovered a hole in my gum through which you could see the screw of the implant. Long story short, my periodontist spent close to a year of trying to repair it saying at first it would be a cinch to do. It turned out to be a nightmare of procedures, surgeries, mistakes and healing. Ultimately, I couldn't stand it anymore and neither could he - so I lost that implant and he did not want to replace it because of all the problems with it.

He no longer uses this brand, but he said he was watching another tooth (same brand) on the upper right molar since it was the same brand. 2 months ago, I developed a horrible infection with unbearable pain and it took his colleague (after a CT scan) to see what the cause of the pain was. There was all this infectious material beneath the implant - so it had to be pulled once again.

So now I have these 2 big gaps on both my left & right side after paying a lot of money for both. I guess he felt responsible for the first implant failing and the need for it to be pulled - but then why in the world would he bill me for pulling out the 2nd failed implant? I made in clear that I paid for these 2 implants in good faith, and both of them had failed and I wondered why he billed me for pulling out one implant yet not the other. I AM paying for it - because I really don't want to get into any legal issues, but I am still mad & upset about it - but mostly because of the 2 failed implants ...I'm not even sure how to chew with 2 huge gaps on both sides of my mouth.

He said it actually cost a lot more (all the procedures and all) so he made it sound like he gave me a huge discount. I really like this guy, but he is now semi-retired and maybe he's losing it or something ... I don't know. But to charge me for pulling yet again another failed implant doesn't seem right or ethical.

Eventually, I would like to have the implant replaced (with another brand). What are my rights here???

Thank you.

 

[MattKW]

You'd have to talk to local regulatory body or consumer board. You would most likely have to get all records and get a second opinion from someone with a high reputation - the regulator may be able to suggest someone. I can't tell you here if it's something the manufacturer did, that the periodontist did, or that even yourself did was wrong. Sometimes things just fail for no apparent reason. So talk to someone and gather the data.

 

[SeekingASolution]

Ouch!!! I really feel for you! Sounds like an awful time
I have had a problem with an implant having a fractured screw, and I did what Matt suggested - I gathered as much information as I could, and got other opinions from another dentist, and prosthodontists. I also spoke to my sister who's a lawyer. I then spoke to the dentist who placed the implant, and he agreed to refund me for the cost of the implant. I felt bad for asking but someone told me it's likely he would have insurance to cover it. But that's just my experience, as a non-professional. I think Matt's advice is sound - especially since you allude to mistakes being made in the treatment of your first implant...