£7,500 awarded for wisdom tooth extraction

Ben Lees acted for H in a claim against her dentist for extracting her wisdom tooth and causing an ora-antral fistula without obtaining informed consent.

H attended the her dentist in February 2012, complaining of symptoms of pain and discomfort from the upper right side of her mouth.  H was advised her upper right wisdom tooth needed to be extracted but was not warned of the risks of the procedure beforehand.  The dentist failed to guard against an ora-antral fistula and did not take a per-operative radiograph.

H later suffered with symptoms of water leaking from her nose, a decay/metallic taste in her mouth and the feeling of constantly blocked sinuses. H returned to the practice and she was advised that the extraction has caused an ora-antral fistula, a cavity between her mouth and sinus.  Despite numerous returns to the practice, H was prescribed antibiotics but not referred to an Oral Maxillofacial Department to receive treatment in sealing the cavity.

H was eventually advised after 12 months that the cavity had resolved, however, whenever she suffered with a cold, the symptoms returned.

H received an out of Court settlement of £7,500 to reflect her pain and suffering.