Unprofessional conduct whether incompetence or negligence can badly ruin a dentist’s career and may put their dental license at risk. This is why every dentist from a small act of negligence to the worst one should consider the fact that a dental attorney can be your solution to your problem.
On or about May 16, 2017, the patient went to the dentist’s office where the dentist in Edinburg, Texas took radiographs and performed a consultation. However, the dentist failed to take multiple periapical radiographs and a bitewing radiograph on #14 prior to starting treatment. The correct procedure would have been for the dentist to take mesial and distal angulated radiographs of tooth #14 and a bitewing radiograph of tooth #14 prior to initiating treatment. This would have helped visualize the lengths and curvatures of the MB and DB roots. In addition, the dentist failed to perform pulp vitality testing and provide an endodontic pulpal and periapical diagnosis of# 14 prior to endodontic treatment.
On or about May 30, 2017, the dentist performed a root canal treatment on #14 and an extraction of #17. During the root canal treatment, the dentist did not use an electronic apex locator to obtain the length of the canals. The dentist also did not use sodium hypochlorite irrigating solution or failed to document the type of writing solution that was used. The dentist’s patient records had multiple charting deficiencies. He also failed to document what type of instrumentation he used to shape the canals- step back or crown down rotary instrumentation; the type of condensation he uses during obturation, and identify whether he found mesiobuccal 2 (MB2) canal.
The final obturation periapical radiograph shows gutta-percha overextended 4-5mm in the MB canal and gutta-percha overextended in the DB canal about 2-3mm. The radiograph also shows the transportation in the MB and DB canals, which means the gutta-percha is not following the curvature of the canals. The dentist did not address any of these issues in his patient notes.
On or about June 4, 2017, and on or about June 8, 2017, B.J. emailed the dentist complaining of continual jaw pain after the dental procedures. B.J.’s pain included temporomandibular joint (TMJ) jaw pain.
And on or about June 8, 2017, the patient returned to the dentist’s office for follow-up suture removal of #17. The patient told the dentist that she was still in a great deal of pain but the dentist only treated her with mouthwash and told her it was “phantom pain,” or words to that effect. The dentist failed to follow up and take additional radiographs of tooth #14 to address pain and discomfort in the area. At no time did the dentist refer the patient for an orofacial pain or oral surgery specialist to address her TMJ pain. Respondent repeatedly failed to sign his name or provide an identification number and initials in each chart note.
On or about June 28, 2017, the patient presented to a dentist with the complaint of her TMJ dysfunction and pain after #14 root canal treatment. On or about July 5, 2017, the patient was referred to another dentist for a TMJ evaluation.
On or about November 16, 2017, through on or about June 5, 2019, the patient sought evaluation and treatment at USC Graduate Endodontics Clinic of #14 and #30. The PA radiograph of tooth #14 and CBCT of tooth #14 taken at USC shows the extent of gutta-percha overfill in the MB and DB canals. It shows around 5 to 7mm of gutta-percha overextension in the MB canal, 3 to 4mm of gutta-percha overextension in the DB canal, and 2mm of gutta-percha overextension in the palatal canal.
The student dentist determined that the dentist missed some of the infected areas when he performed the root canal treatment on #14 and that the extended gutta-percha went too far beyond the roots of the tooth which was causing the patient the continued pain and discomfort. The student dentist removed as much gutta-percha as possible without surgery. However, an apicoectomy was ultimately recommended to resect the untreated part of the MB and DB roots and remove the overextended gutta-percha.
As a response to the above incident, the dentist had committed unprofessional conduct and is subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Dental. Such unprofessional conduct can cause you to lose your license. To avoid losing your license from such complaints and accusations, it is better to hire a dental attorney for your sake.
Never let the case end your career and let your dental license be suspended or get revoked, just seek help from a dental attorney. If you also received a complaint regarding a case or complaint filed on you, you should hire a dental attorney immediately before it’s too late. Texas dental attorney Yong J. An is one of those dedicated dental lawyers who helped various dentists in their cases since 2006. You may contact him 24/7 at (832) 428-5679 for more information or if you want to schedule a private consultation.