Plaintiff was a 45 year old telephone company network technician who had been under the continuous care of his general dentist from 1975 until 1995. Plaintiff was compliant and diligent about his oral hygiene and followed all dental advice by the defendant: when he needed restorations, he had them done; when he needed a root canal, he had it done; when he was told he needed a bridge, he had it done. The plaintiff developed periodontal disease which progressed until some of his teeth had no bony support.
The plaintiff was never told about the onset or progression of periodontal disease until he visited a different dentist for a “second opinion” at which time he was told to “run, don’t walk, run to the periodontist.”
The plaintiff lost teeth and required four quadrants of periodontal surgery and expensive crown and bridge restorations.
The case settled during a mandatory pre-trial mediation conference for $125,000.00.