Thursday, December 29, 2011

Is Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery an Unnecessary Risk?

In recent weeks, several news sources have reported the death of a 17-year-old Maryland girl who died from hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) during a routine wisdom teeth extraction. Her parents filed a medical malpractice lawsuit this month, which brought the case to the attention of consumers, media, and dental industry professionals. The tragedy has caused many to question the necessity of wisdom teeth removal, an elective surgery that may lead to serious health consequences with no significant health benefit.

Girl's Death Gives Rise to Bigger Questions for the Dental Industry

In April, Jenny Olenick was to have her wisdom teeth removed, a surgery undergone by five million teens and adults each year. However, the procedure went fatally wrong when her heart rate slowed to a "panic level" and she began losing oxygen after being anesthetized. Her parents' malpractice lawsuit alleges that the dentist and anesthesiologist were negligent in monitoring Ms. Olenick's breathing and oxygenation and in failing to resuscitate her once her heart rate and oxygen level dropped.

Ms. Olenick's tragedy has prompted many people to wonder why dentists almost unanimously encourage wisdom teeth removal when the teeth have not actually caused any problems for the individual, but the surgery poses real risks.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons strongly recommends that young adults have their wisdom teeth removed to "prevent future problems and to ensure optimal healing." But some dentists claim the science support prophylactic extraction is thin, and that profit is the real reason so many wisdom teeth removals are performed. As reported by Huffpost Healthy Living, dental consultant Jay Friedman wrote in the American Journal of Public Health, "Third-molar surgery is a multibillion-dollar industry that generates significant income for the dental profession. It is driven by misinformation and myths that have been exposed before but that continue to be promulgated by the profession."

According to the report, American dentists and oral surgeons pull 10 million wisdom teeth every year, an effort that costs more than $3 billion and leads to 11 million days of postoperative discomfort. Mr. Friedman goes on to say "At least two thirds of these extractions, associated costs, and injuries are unnecessary, constituting a silent epidemic of [physician-induced] injury that afflicts tens of thousands of people with lifelong discomfort and disability."

The dangers associated with wisdom teeth removal will likely receive even more attention in the coming months. ABC News affiliate WSBTV has reported that 14-year-old Ben Ellis of Gilmer County, Georgia was found dead on December 8 after undergoing wisdom tooth surgery the day before. His case is still under investigation.

Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If you ever believe that your health or the health of a loved one was compromised by incompetence or negligence on the part of a dentist, doctor, nurse, hospital, or other health care professional, contact Paulsen & Armitage, LLC in Denver for a free consultation with an experienced Colorado medical malpractice attorney.