Left with Unfinished Dental Implants

Question submitted by Elliot:

I pre-paid for six dental implants. I have the fixtures in but have been waiting on the dentures to anchor to them. The office canceled my appointment three times.  I finally started asking questions and they admitted that the dentist has left the country and went to Belarus and they don’t think he is coming back. They were hoping to get some direction from him but he has stopped communicating. I have no idea if he is coming back or why he left. I’m stuck with this dental work that is half done and no real teeth on my bottom arch. What do I do?

Elliot

Dear Elliot,

First, I am sorry that this has happened to you. I’m finding it frustrating that your dentist also had you get six instead of four dental implants for one arch. Not only did he not complete your work, but he did a bit of an overtreatment. Unless, of course, you specifically asked for six. Some patients do prefer to have more implants.

Unfortunately, if he has left the country with no intention of coming back, unless the practice is willing to return the money for the unfinished part of the procedure, you will not have much recourse.

If you can’t afford to have the procedure finished by paying another dentist to complete dentures to anchor to them, you might be able to find a compassionate dentist who is willing to work with you and let you pay it out because of the situation you are in.

I would have a dentist look at the dental implants that you have just to ensure they are in good shape and the correct positioning. This way you can plan properly for the next steps.

This is an awful situation. There really isn’t a way you can prepare for a dentist absconding the country. One other possible hope is that your dentist sells his practice. Whoever, purchases his practice, will also be responsible for the contracts he had in place.

This blog is brought to you by Tucson Prosthodontist Dr. Howard Steinberg.