Can I get a refund from a dentist for a crown that doesn't fit properly?

I live in NJ. In March 2006 I had a dentist crown one of my molars. Last week I went to a new dentist who took Xrays of my mouth. He found that the crowned tooth was in trouble because the crown my last dentist put on didn't fit the tooth properly. Now, in order to avoid decay (a root canal in the future) I need to have the crown replaced with one that fits. I don't have dental insurance so I paid for that crown with my Visa card. Do I have any recourse? Can I get the price of the crown refunded to me?

Can I get a refund from a dentist for a crown that doesn't fit properly?
From my experience, you probably wont be able to get a refund, but I think you should be able to get the dentist that did a bad job redo the tooth and all of the resulting problems. If he refuses to do it-you can always write or call the American Dentistry Board. Dentists have to follow their rules and they dont much like being reported. Good luck.
Reply:contact the dentist that did the bad job and ask him for a refund. He will probably want you to come back and he will fix it but tell him you will take him to small claims court and file on him with the better business bureau and the State Attorney General.
Reply:You will probably have to go back to the old dentist and he should replace it without charging you. It will not be easy to get your money back. You could ask though.
Reply:he should refit it if your having trouble....did you pay the bill?
Reply:First you have to give the dentist who crowned you an opportunity to rectify the situation. If he can't satisfy you, contact Visa. If that doesn't work, go to court. That will do the trick.
Reply:Theoretically, you may be able to get your money back.





Practically, it is unlikely that you will be able to, at least by legal action. This would be a dental malpractice case, notoriously difficult to win, and your damages are probably not significant enough to interest any attorney for a case based on a contingent fee.





You might try calling your old dentist, explaining the situation, being extremely polite, and just asking for some compensation.
Reply:You need to get a second opinion. Sounds like he wants to make some money.