Baton Rouge Dentist

My Overdenture Doesn’t Fit on My Mini Implants

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Can I get a refund if my overdenture doesn’t fit on my mini implants? I got a new overdenture last month to replace my old one. I have four mini implants. Although the dentist agreed to complete the denture in three weeks, it took almost three months. The dentist had to force it on implants. For the next three days I was in pain, ate with difficulty, and had problems taking the denture off and could not put it back on. When I called the dental office, another dentist in the practice agreed to see me that day. She said the holes in the denture bases did not fit around the attachments properly because they weren’t drilled correctly. I’ve talked to my dentist, and he said I need new gaskets for the attachments, which will help the denture fit well. I don’t want to prolong this situation if it doesn’t sound logical. Should I ask for a refund? Thank you. Brandley from San Diego

Bradley,

Your experience has created dental and legal concerns. The legal concern is that your dentist did not produce your overdenture in the time frame promised. The dental problem is that getting a new overdenture should have taken about three weeks and what you received didn’t fit.  Ordering new gaskets may not be the resolution since the overdenture doesn’t fit and its arrival was late.

Diagram of a standard implant (left) and a mini implant (right)
Look for a dentist with experience in providing overdentures for mini implants (pictured right)

A noteworthy fact that can affect the outcome of an overdenture is that implant dentistry is a highly unregulated branch of dentistry. Also, mini implants are an affordable option, but they are not commonly used. Your dentist may not have been forthcoming about how much experience he has with them.

Should You Ask for a Refund for Your Overdenture?

You should ask for a refund for your overdenture if your dentist agreed to complete it in three weeks, but it took almost three months. Also, your denture did not fit, caused pain, and prevented you from putting it back on. Your dentist didn’t meet standards of acceptability.

If your dentist doesn’t want to issue a refund, you have three or four points of leverage:

  • Write negative online reviews: Data shows that 60 to 65 percent of prospective patients check online reviews before scheduling an appointment with a dentist. In contrast, you can offer to leave a good review if your dentist refunds you.
  • Complain to the state dental board – This approach is effective because dentists don’t want negative reports that prompt the dental board to contact them.
  • Complain to your dental insurance company – If you have dental insurance, a complaint to the company may prompt your dentist to refund you.
  • File a malpractice lawsuit – Although your case doesn’t seem to qualify for a lawsuit or yield much compensation, a malpractice lawsuit is an option for some patients.

What to do next:

  • Respectfully ask for a refund and offer to write a positive review about the dentist’s integrity and what you liked about the office.
  • If the dentist hesitates, be firm and ask for specific information about how much experience he has with mini implants and creating overdentures for them.
  • If he still won’t refund you, tell him that you will file a complaint with the dental board.

 

Beverly Hills accredited Fellow of cosmetic dentistry Dr. Brian LeSage sponsors this post.

My New Porcelain Veneers Are Too Small

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In July 2022, I had a bottom right molar tooth break. I had not seen a dentist in the seven years prior, so I made an emergency appointment with a dentist near my job. He said the tooth was too damaged and decayed to save, so he recommended a crown. I made an appointment with the same dentist who placed a crown. I didn’t have any problems with the crown or my bite.

After a dental cleaning and a conversation with my new dentist in early December, I decided to do something about the rest of my misaligned, crowded, and worn teeth. The dentist explained that cosmetic dentistry could correct the issues without dentistry, so I agreed.

The dentist recommended cosmetic reshaping, dental bonding for my top left incisor and canine teeth, and two veneers. When my dentist finished the work, I noticed that he left a gap near the gumline above the porcelain veneers, which were too small. My teeth were still crowded and uneven, and the bonding was peeling, so I don’t know what kind of reshaping and bonding he did.

I told my dentist that the results were not what we agreed to, and I asked what he needed to do to achieve it. He said that I would need root canals and four crowns. Of course, I did not agree to the treatment because the dentist lied about what he could do.

A co-worker had Invisalign and recommended the cosmetic dentist who did her Invisalign and new crowns on her front teeth, which look natural to me, although I am not trained to know what to look for. Anyway, I scheduled a second opinion with the cosmetic dentist, and she said she recommends five veneers to correct the crowding and alignment. She thinks she can resolve the problems with veneers without root canal treatment or crowns.

I don’t know who to trust, but I would like to ask my previous dentist for a refund. And can just five veneers correct the misalignment issue, as the second dentist recommends? Thank you. Jessica

Jessica,

Although the dentist resolved your emergency with your broken tooth, he failed with your smile makeover. You deserve a refund because the dentist did not deliver what he promised and asked for more money to correct it.

Getting a Refund for Faulty Cosmetic Dentistry

Ask your dentist for a refund based on these facts:

  • Your porcelain veneers are too small
  • The issues with your teeth remain despite the dentist’s work
  • Your dental bonding is peeling

If your previous dentist refuses to issue a refund, you can follow these steps:

  • Find a skilled cosmetic dentist for your new dental work and ask if that dentist will help you request a refund
  • Threaten to report the issue to the state dental board
  • Seek legal advice

How to Find the Right Cosmetic Dentist

Although a cosmetic dentist can provide affordable work, you can still get quality results

A dentist’s ability to handle emergencies doesn’t automatically make them an artistic cosmetic dentist. Before you choose a dentist to correct your smile, find answers to these questions:

  • Does your second-opinion cosmetic dentist have post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training?
  • How many porcelain veneer cases has she completed?
  • Did the new dentist show you porcelain veneers photos of her patients?
  • What do patients say about the dentist’s work?

If you cannot verify that the second-opinion dentist is skilled in a cosmetic dentist, keep looking for a dentist with experience in smile makeovers.

Best wishes.

 

Baton Rouge family dentist Dr. Ryan Perry sponsors this post.