Orthodontic Injury - He's Denying His Responsibility

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#1 Post by **supo** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 8:42 am

I have a V shaped jaw (more like a boomerang). My orthodontist but on a U shaped jaw. My mouth got ripped apart in the lower anteriors as my canines to canines and everything in between jetted forward and, as an adult, my gums just detached and I have NO gums between my teeth.

I'm visiting orthodontists locally and they all have this guy's back about his reputation. I have the wire and put it against my mold and it's CLEAR AS DAY what caused this. My ortho told me it was my biology, not his treatment. My periodontist said there is no surgical procedure to correct, once a papilla is gone, it's gone....because there is no blood supply there.

I'm really angry and even more hurt. When I smile you see black everywhere in between my teeth. My braces were removed because the dental school at UF intervened, yet, they are not saying it's iatrogenic (can't stir up the community of dental professionals). My dentist says putting bonding there will make my teeth look like wooden planks and unnatural. I have root exposure and all my teeth have enamel cracks from debonding. My occlussion caused my molars to crack and need crowns.

Let me add this, I'm a 3-4 a year dental cleaning, brush after each meal, floss daily, take Xylitol in between meals - very conscious of my teeth.

I went from PERFECT dental health to permanent damage and rehabilitation.

Someone PLEASE help me. I'm emotionally devastated.

#2 Post by **MakePinkNotWar** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:12 pm

Contact a lawyer if you are upset and see what the lawyer says.

#3 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:14 pm

Wow i really feel for you. I don't think that its your ortho's responsibility though, the only way he could have prevented this is to deny your treatment to begin with. I think i read somewhere that some people are just prone to gum recession in braces, though its rare.

#4 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:12 pm

You had posted about your situation almost a year ago in this thread:

viewtopic.php?p=254810&highlight=#254810

I would advise you to consult a lawyer if everyone in the dental industry is telling you that nothing can be done. Also, in that other thread someone mentioned a surgeon who could help you, so perhaps you might want to think about contacting him to see if he can help!

#5 Post by **LCARA** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 3:22 pm

What do you mean by you have a v-shaped jaw, and he put on a u-shaped?

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but if you were to contact a lawyer clearly your claim rests on this assumption.

#6 Post by **supo** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:44 am

I was supposed to be in braces for 1.5 years - was in for about 3.5. My teeth were PERFECT at the 2 year mark and then he said he wanted more expansion and decided to do it with wires and elastics. I asked if I need surgery and he said "no, I can get you orthodontically correct".

My jaw is shaped like a boomerang - kind of narrow in front and wider in the back. If you look in the mirror and open your mouth and see the bottom teeth...there is a "shape" to your arch. I have my molds too. I took the wire that was in my mouth and hold it up to the lower arch and it's NOT EVEN CLOSE to a match. The wire is a "U" shape, or a U-Turn. My arch is more like a V (or a boomerang shape which there are no character keys on the keyboard to represent). This is when my gums got destroyed because it forced my lower teeth out and forward. The teeth moved, the gums stayed where they are.

My periodontist told me today that I've relapsed, I have a mixed and an open bite and in a traumatic occlussion. Further orthodontics will make the gum situation worse and he doesn't recommend surgery.

Calling a lawyer with no dental experience is not going to help. Worse yet, finding an orthodontist or any other dental professional to point fingers isn't going to help either.

I'm lost, hurt, confused and feel abandoned.

#7 Post by **LCARA** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 6:10 pm

You wont find a lawyer with dental experience period.

You'd have to get a lawyer, then have medical professionals testify on your behalf, so I'd looking into that if I were you. Often a lawyer will assist you with this if you have the money.

Its unfortunate what happened but I don't think anyone here can offer you anything insightful unfortunately.