Failure to Prepare Bone Grafts before Implants
$1.27 Million Michigan Verdict

According to a Verdict Reporter, a 40-year-old public speaker sought dental implants from an oral surgeon who had treated her before. The oral surgeon stated that a bone graft was not necessary, despite the significant bone loss in her upper jaw, before placing the implants. During two surgeries 14 implants were placed in the upper and lower jaws. The patient developed nerve problems in the lower jaw. For nine months the oral surgeon assured her the areas were improving and the pain would eventually resolve. Within the next three months three implants failed and required removal. The patient sought a second opinion and was informed that all the implants were failing and required removal. The treating oral surgeon further informed the patient that a bone graft would have been necessary for the implants to have been successful, that her lower implant now could not be surgically removed, and that her untreated nerve injury would result in permanent paralysis of the left side of her face. A medQuest oral surgeon testified that the defendant negligently performed the implant surgery and failed to treat the patient in a timely fashion when it was apparent the implants were failing. The jury returned a verdict of $1.27 million, including $600,000 for past and future pain and suffering as well as $150,000 in case evaluation sanctions.