A dentist and his practice deny negligence in a lawsuit alleging a patient went months without teeth after her implants were allegedly installed improperly.
Deborah Wilson sued Dr. Jeffrey Naylor and his practice last year in Madison County. She claims Naylor removed her teeth and installed base rods for dental implants, but that the specialist who was supposed to screw in the implants told her he could not fully complete the procedure because she had insufficient bone density that would not allow the implants and dentures to set properly.
Naylor, represented by Matthew Zittel of Neville, Richards & Wuller of Belleville, had sought to dismiss the complaint arguing that an affidavit and report from a reviewing health care professional was ambiguous for using the terms “medical” and “dental” interchangeably.
A hearing was held April 29 before Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, who allowed plaintiff's counsel to amend the affidavit. Crowder denied the motion to dismiss.
In her lawsuit, Wilson alleges she had to endure several months without teeth and suffered tremendous pain, expense and mental anguish from her appearance.
Wilson accuses Naylor and Naylor Periodontics of negligence. She seeks more than $100,000, plus attorney’s fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.
Lloyd M. Cueto of the Law Office of Lloyd M. Cueto in Belleville represents Wilson.
The case had been assigned to Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth. Naylor moved for substitution, and the case was reassigned to Crowder.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-87