Case Description

I am a 26 year old female. A general dentist, who claimed he had the appropriate education/training to do orthodontics (2 year course), put braces on me for one year. I had a very severe case of crowding.

During the year, which should have been 2.5 to 3 years, as I was told by an actual orthodontist, my dentist prescribed me large quantities of narcotic painkillers to deal with the intense pain. On average he would prescribe 60-80 tylenol 3's per month. He never should have agreed to treat me, as he did not have the qualifications or technology to do so.

Braces have been off since May, and I have gone to an orthodontist for a second opinion. I have many issues. Dentist caused an open bite, which makes it very difficult to eat. Some foods I simply cannot eat. The dentist himself told me that the symptoms I am having with tingling and numbness is nerve damage, but only temporary nerve damage. I dont believe this. I get chronic headaches, daily. I still have crowding, my teeth are not straight. I now have TMJ, which I was told may get worse with the corrective treatment. My jaw clicks at times, and jaw pain daily. I cant talk for long periods of time.

Original cost I paid dentist was 4600.00. He re-imbursed me 4600.00. Corrective treatment is around 9,000.00. He agreed to pay for anything above what he reimbursed, to correct the mess he made. When I contacted him weeks after this discussion, he refused and said I would have to take it to court.

Do I have a case? I have chronic headaches, TMJ, possible nerve damage, crooked teeth, etc. I have a 3 page letter stating the issues I have, from the second opinion orthodontist. I now have to go through another 3 years or corrective treatment. As a fully grown adult with a professional job, it is humiliating. Knowing that my headaches, jaw pain, numbness/tingling may never go away, is devastating.

Do I have a case? Help!