Lockhart, Bill D.D.S.

Review: Original appointment was on March 19, 2012. I went in due to dental pain in my back upper left teeth. Dr [redacted] was very nice and wanted to make sure I didn't have any pain. This was much faster and less painful than the last root canal I had done a few years ago at another dentist office; even though he broke two of his file while preforming the root canal. I went back for the crown placement and everything was tender and still hurting and they said it would go away in a few days. The pain did not go away and I was not able to go back due to having vein ablation surgery on both of my legs. There is no elevator to get up to his office only stairs. I wasnt able to go back until I was able to walk up the stairs again. My next appointment was on February 21, 2013 where Dr. [redacted] said my bite was off and made an adjustment. They also took an x-ray of the tooth that same day.The pain did not go away and I scheduled a second opinion at [redacted]. I was seen by Dr. [redacted] who was super nice and very informative. They took an x-ray of my top left back area, where my complaint is located. Dr. [redacted] then noticed that the post put in place to hold the crown was put in improperly by Dr. [redacted], instead of placing it inside of a root it was in the middle of the roots. This is the cause of my pain and there isn't anything that can be done to repair or fix the tooth as it will just crack\break if someone tries. My only option now is extraction. With extraction I have two options to get a bridge or implant, neither of which is cheap. With a bridge you have to get a crown on the surrounding teeth and a fake tooth is put in the middle. You can't floss between the teeth because the crown are connected to the middle tooth, hence bridge. This is not an option for me as I need to see an endodontist to get a root canal done on my very back tooth and am having a difficult time finding one that will accept my insurance. I also don't want to have a bridge as it wouldDesired Settlement: I want a full refund of $1643, the price I paid for this improperly performed procedure which causes me a lot of pain on a daily basis. I will then need to put these funds towards the procedure I will get at Laraway Family Dentistry Office.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The only reason I cannot make their appointment is because they are an upstairs office and there is no elevator or other option to get to their office. I am not able to walk up and down stairs due to vein surgery and a recent sprained knee. I asked them if they have any other locations that I can access and they said they do not. I was willing to let them make an assessment however, they have an inaccessible office and due to my current disability.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Our office is doing our best to resolve this issue with the patient. Due to [redacted]'s surgery, she is unable to make it to any appointments we have attempted to make with her to evaluate the procedure and the problem. The patient is only available via email due to her work hours and any attempt to speak with her over the phone has not worked out.

At her treatment appointment, she was informed that during the procedure, the doctor had broken a file in the canal of the tooth. We explained we would keep an eye on it and watch for any symptoms resulting from the broken file. Ms. [redacted] went to another dentist, [redacted], and had an evaluation done on that tooth. We have recommended that the patient go to a root canal specialist. The endodontist has special X-ray machines and technology to confirm or deny whether or not the broken file is the problem or if it is the tooth next to it that is causing her discomfort. Dr. [redacted] has explained to the patient that once the Endodontist has made his diagnosis he will refund the money for the root canal if he finds that Dr. [redacted] was at fault.

As I mentioned before, we strive to make sure our patients are completely satisfied with our services and we are doing our best to fix this situation with Ms. [redacted].

Please do not hesitate to contact our office should there be any questions or concerns.

Original appointment was on March 19, 2012. I went in due to dental pain in my back upper left teeth. Dr [redacted] was very nice and wanted to make sure I didn't have any pain. This was much faster and less painful than the last root canal I had done a few years ago at another dentist office; even though he broke two of his file while preforming the root canal. I went back for the crown placement and everything was tender and still hurting and they said it would go away in a few days. The pain did not go away and I was not able to go back due to having vein ablation surgery on both of my legs. There is no elevator to get up to his office only stairs. I wasnt able to go back until I was able to walk up the stairs again. My next appointment was on February 21, 2013 where Dr. [redacted] said my bite was off and made an adjustment. They also took an x-ray of the tooth that same day.The pain did not go away and I scheduled a second opinion at [redacted]. I was seen by Dr. [redacted] who was super nice and very informative. They took an x-ray of my top left back area, where my complaint is located. Dr. [redacted] then noticed that the post put in place to hold the crown was put in improperly by Dr. [redacted], instead of placing it inside of a root it was in the middle of the roots. This is the cause of my pain and there isn't anything that can be done to repair or fix the tooth as it will just crack\break if someone tries. My only option now is extraction. With extraction I have two options to get a bridge or implant, neither of which is cheap. With a bridge you have to get a crown on the surrounding teeth and a fake tooth is put in the middle. You can't floss between the teeth because the crown are connected to the middle tooth, hence bridge. This is not an option for me as I need to see an endodontist to get a root canal done on my very back tooth and am having a difficult time finding one that will accept my insurance. I also don't want to have a bridge as it would