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    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jan 22, 2008, 12:40 PM
    Permanent Crown Doesn't Fit Right
    I had 6 crowns made for my top teeth in order to correct some spacing issues. This has been a very slow process. I had temporaries made twice to get the length and everything just right. And, I had a heck of a time with those temporaries. Keeping them in place was a nightmare! When I returned for the permanent crowns, the dentist insisted on temporarily cementing them to be sure I liked them. While I really didn't want have to deal with the temporary issue again, I went along with what the dentist suggested. He told me to come back in two weeks. Shortly before I was due to go back and have them permanently cemented, I awoke to find that one of the front crowns was gone! I never did find it. So, I went back and the dentist took another impression and sent the impression for the lost tooth to the lab to be fabricated. I went back to the dentist yesterday to get the new crown. It is not the same as the previous crown. When I got home, I noticed it was shorter than the previous crown and shorter than the crown on my other front tooth which they had made for me. Also, there is more spacing between the front teeth now. I went back today and discussed this issue with the dentist. He tells me that the reason for the difference is because when they are making the crown separately, it is impossible to get it fitted as well. Additionally, since the new crown was too short, my dentist just ground down the other crown to match. I didn't want my crowns shorter. That's why we did the temporaries a couple times. I wanted to get the length right. He keeps telling me that the spacing looks right. The teeth are now not flush up against one another. And, to add insult to injury, his dental assistant charged me separately $140.00 to seat this new crown. I had already paid for these crowns including seating them. The lost crown had not been permanently seated and I would have assumed I wouldn't be double charged for cementing the same crown (especially since the old one was never seated).

    Am I wrong to insist that the replacement crown was not made right? It wasn't even the right length. Do I have a right to tell the dentist that if the lab didn't make the tooth the same as the previous crown, then they need to remake it until they get it right?:(
    Choux's Avatar
    Choux Posts: 3,047, Reputation: 376
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    #2

    Jan 22, 2008, 01:04 PM
    You have to deal with these people until you get your front crowns just the way they were originally promised to you. :)

    So, you have to set up the discussions as "we" working together to get the job done. Don't set up the situation as "me" versus "them" before the job is completed. I can't stress this enough. Don't argue the price of the lost crown... $140... always act positive and calm... you have a lot of money invested in this. Medical professionals don't respond well to confrontation... and they have all the power.
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Jan 22, 2008, 01:10 PM
    Thanks for the advice. Actually, I didn't argue about the $140.00. I don't agree with this charge, but I didn't say anything. My main concern is the fact that the new crown is not the right size. The dentist told me to wait for two weeks... it could get better or it could get worse. I am scheduled to go back for deep cleaning on 2/5. Should I just see what happens? If it gets worse, I will be very upset. This is not what we agreed upon. Obviously, if there was going to be any spacing issues, you sure don't want those issues to be with the front two teeth.

    I appreciate your advice and I am trying to work with them. But, I get the impression if I don't stand up to them, I will not be happy with the outcome. I know there have been a couple of times that they knew that things were not right and they ignored it.
    flossie's Avatar
    flossie Posts: 1,903, Reputation: 181
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    #4

    Jan 22, 2008, 05:35 PM
    Yes, you do have the right to make sure your crowns are just as you want. Make an appointment to have a meeting with your dentist (best at the end of the day so he/she won't rush you). Explain why you aren't happy with the new crown. You have paid X amount of dollars and you deserve to have the look you want and paid for.

    There is no reason the lab couldn't make the new crown the same length and shape of the one you lost, the dentist should have had the casts they were made on plus the new impression and model he sent showed the length of the crowns that are present. The dentist should have sent all of this to the lab. Now... if the impression wasn't poured up with stone quick enough the material would start to dry and shrink. This would make your teeth appear smaller to the lab.

    If you don't get anywhere with your dentist you can file a complaint with your state dental licensing body. Keep all your receipts and record the dates you were to the dentist, what was discussed and what was done so you can submit copies of these to the state licensing body.

    Keep your discussion as positive as possible and don't tell the dentist that you will file a complaint if you aren't satisfied. If he's at all decent, he will do whatever he can to make you happy and should be at no or little cost to you.
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jan 22, 2008, 05:48 PM
    Flossie, thank you so much for your advice. It does disgust me that we have to be careful about disagreeing with the outcome of a medical or dental procedure. I really like this dentist, but I have come to realize that he is going to give me all kinds of excuses rather than redo something.

    I am going to wait until my next appt. which is on 2/5. It will give me time to see if there are going to be additional changes as to how the teeth look and it will also give me time to get others opinions as well. I don't want to cause lots of trouble, but I don't want to hear excuses in an effort to not do what is right for me.

    Hopefully, I will be happy with the outcome. It did bother me that he took some of the length off the other crown just because the new one wasn't long enough. I had been very careful to select the length that I desired. The dentist minimized it and said he was shaving very little off the other tooth.

    Again, thanks.
    flossie's Avatar
    flossie Posts: 1,903, Reputation: 181
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    #6

    Jan 22, 2008, 06:44 PM
    Remember, these crowns will be there for many years to come. Be sure you are satisfied now since it won't be easy to correct them a few years or even months from now.
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Jan 22, 2008, 09:24 PM
    I must admit that I am very intimidated by the dentist and his assistant. No matter what I say, they have an excuse. How can I argue with them? While I am not dumb enough to think that it would be impossible to duplicate the lost crown, the dentist tells me that it is impossible to get it right. I really appreciate your help. I can tell that you are very knowledgeable in this profession.
    flossie's Avatar
    flossie Posts: 1,903, Reputation: 181
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    #8

    Jan 23, 2008, 04:36 AM
    Where do you live? You could give the state dental licensing body a call (they usually have 800 numbers so there's no long distance charge to you) and ask what they suggest you do. They may just suggest you file a formal complaint.

    Dentists can be real jerks. Most think they are better than anyone. I've worked with a few in my 28 yrs of dentistry. Don't let your dentist and ESPECIALLY his assistant intimidate you! They provide a service, you PAY for their service and you should get what you've paid for.

    Once you get this problem corrected I'd find yourself another dentist. Most dentists don't like losing patients (not good for their inflated egos).
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Jan 23, 2008, 05:36 PM
    Thanks again, Flossie. My concern is that the new crown obviously was not the correct size. I did notice that when he put the crown on the other front tooth, he worked with the gums and pushed really hard to get it seated. When he did this one, he just barely pushed on it. I now realize that the reason was probably because he knew it wasn't as long as the other one and he was trying to remedy that situation. So, I am worried that since the new crown isn't the right size, I may end up with what he calls a "black hole" between the two front teeth. I am so concerned that it is literally making me sick. I was really excited about changing the appearance of my teeth. Now, I am just worried sick about how this is going to end. Do you think that if the new crown was not made the right size that over the next coming weeks I could possibly end up with spacing issues at the gum line? Any advice is very much appreciated.

    I will take your advice and find the licensing board for the State of Texas. And, if I ever get the crown issues straightened out, I will find another dentist. As I said, I do like him, but I don't feel that he is being honest with me.
    rockerchick26's Avatar
    rockerchick26 Posts: 93, Reputation: 22
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    #10

    Jan 23, 2008, 05:49 PM
    I used to work in a dental office... Here is a suggestion: If the office continues to make excuses, request that someone from the lab that makes the crowns meet with you and the dentist so that you can get the desired result OR if the lab is local and they won't come to the office, go to the lab yourself and talk to someone there.
    flossie's Avatar
    flossie Posts: 1,903, Reputation: 181
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    #11

    Jan 23, 2008, 06:54 PM
    Texas State Board of Dental Examiners - License & Registration Verifications

    Here's the website for the Texas board.
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Jan 24, 2008, 11:03 PM
    Rockerchick26:
    Thanks so much for the suggestion. You know, I did think about that, but I didn't know if it was possible. I really just figured that the lab would go along with whatever the dentist wanted to say since the lab's income depends on these dentists. I have no experience in the dental field. I just thought that the only way the lab is going to be helpful and divulge the truth is by supoena of their records. But, I will sure give this a try if push comes to shove.
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #13

    Jan 24, 2008, 11:06 PM
    Flossie:

    You have made me feel so much better. Thanks so much for all of your info. And furnishing the website for the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.

    I will keep you and Rockchick26 updated as to developments.

    Thanks again!
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #14

    Jan 24, 2008, 11:08 PM
    Oops! Choux, I didn't mean to leave you out.

    All of you will be advised of any developments regarding this matter.

    You guys are great!
    oneguyinohio's Avatar
    oneguyinohio Posts: 1,302, Reputation: 196
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    #15

    Jan 24, 2008, 11:21 PM
    At least this guy is willing to try to continue with the job... I once had a dentist mess up on a root canal, stop his job, plug the hole and refuse to see me again... telling me I needed to go to aonther dentist to have the broken drill bit removed from inside my tooth...

    I had my lawyer convince him to pay for the root canal being finished... but the tooth had to be removed in less than a year because there was too much damage done. Now, I'm left wishing for 2 front teeth... the bad tooth also held a bridge attached to a crown...
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #16

    Jan 25, 2008, 12:42 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by oneguyinohio
    At least this guy is willing to try to continue with the job... I once had a dentist mess up on a root canal, stop his job, plug the hole and refuse to see me again... telling me I needed to go to aonther dentist to have the broken drill bit removed from inside my tooth...

    I had my lawyer convince him to pay for the root canal being finished... but the tooth had to be removed in less than a year because there was too much damage done. Now, I'm left wishing for 2 front teeth... the bad tooth also held a bridge attached to a crown...
    Oh, my gosh! That is terrible! Why did he refuse to see you again? I assume it was because he was not capable of repairing the damage! I guess I shouldn't be complaining. I just believe that everyone should do what is right. I very much stand on principal. If I do something wrong, you better believe I am going to admit it and do anything I can to remedy the damage (financially or whatever). So, it is hard for me to understand why people would not admit to mistakes and accept responsibility. You now don't have any front teeth? Nothing can be done about it?
    oneguyinohio's Avatar
    oneguyinohio Posts: 1,302, Reputation: 196
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    #17

    Jan 25, 2008, 12:49 AM
    I just have to get some money to get permanent bridge put back in. I have two teeth on a partial plate to use so it doesn't look so bad really. It's just a pain. I guess it was beyond his abilities to do the job. It seemed like he couldn't get me out of there quick enough. I agree with your views on the principles of people doing what is right.
    morning132's Avatar
    morning132 Posts: 13, Reputation: 1
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    #18

    Jan 25, 2008, 12:53 AM
    oneguyinohio:
    I am so sorry that this happened to you. It just isn't right. I am glad to hear that you do have partial plate.

    I pray that you will soon get the money to have the permanent bridge.

    I appreciate your input.

    Take care.

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