College Student has Wisdom Teeth Removed but Becomes Septic and was Placed on Ventilator for 2 Weeks

Case Overview

This special care dentistry case involves a 23-year-old female patient that presented to her dentist with complaints of a cracked tooth and severe tooth pain. The dentist advised her that her molar teeth needed removal and on that visit, she had a one step root canal performed. The patient developed a severe mouth infection two days following the procedure with associated trismus symptoms. Several complications arose which required that the patient be placed on a ventilator for 9 days due to sepsis and respiratory failure.

Questions to the Dentistry expert and their responses

What could have been done to prevent such a severe outcome?

Unless a patient has an artificial heart valve or another predisposing factor, prophylactic antibiotics aren't given for dental work. The chances of getting an infection following an extraction are very small, and on a population basis, more harm is caused than good by giving prophylactic antibiotics. However, if the dentist did not start the patient on antibiotics as soon as the first symptoms were noticed then negligence may be a factor.

About the expert

This expert is a practicing general dentist who practices in several east coast private practices. He is experienced in general dental procedures that include placement of amalgam and composite fillings, simple & surgical extractions, as well as crown and bridge fabrication. Over his 20+ year dental career, he has also obtained broad experience in performing root canal therapy, as well as in evaluating patient x-rays for dental diagnostics and treatment planning.

E-000834

Specialties:

Dentistry

Michael Talve stands at the forefront of legal innovation as the CEO and Managing Director of Expert Institute. Under his leadership, the Expert Institute has established itself as a vital player in the legal technology arena, revolutionizing how lawyers connect with world-class experts and access advanced legal technology. Michael's role involves not only steering the company's strategic direction but also ensuring the delivery of unparalleled intelligence and cutting-edge solutions to legal professionals. His work at Expert Institute has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of attorneys in case preparation and execution, making a significant impact on the legal industry's approach to expert consultation and technological integration. Michael's vision and execution have positioned the Expert Institute as a key facilitator in the intersection of law and technology.