EDWARDSVILLE - A patient claims she had to undergo oral surgery after her dental implants were improperly installed.
Brenda Richter filed a lawsuit on Jan. 12 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Wojtyna Dental LLC, doing business as Aspen Dental, Dr. Graciela Romo, D.M.D., and Dr. Alexander Wojtyna, DDS, alleging medical malpractice.
According to the lawsuit, Richter visited Aspen Dental on Jan. 13, 2020, for dental services to evaluate the installation of dental implants and dentures. On Jan. 16, 2020, Richter went in to have her teeth extracted and dental implants placed. The suit states that Richter didn't have enough bone to support her implants, so she drove back and forth to Aspen Dental for approximately six months as Romo attempted to make the implants successful. Richter allegedly visited oral surgeon Dr. Collin Stutz, who determined she had "malpositioned implants" and insufficient bone support.
"Dr. Stutz has advised Brenda Richter that the dental work that she received from defendants was a failure and that Brenda needed significant dental work, including performance of bone grafts, completely removing the dental implants and abutments, and redoing the installation of the implants to get Brenda Richter a satisfactory result," the suit states.
Richter alleges the defendants improperly placed the dental implants, placed dental implants with insufficient bone support, failed to perform a bone graft to support the implants, negligently failed to inform Richter of the risks involving dental treatment, negligently failed to obtain consent prior to treatment, failed to promptly refer Richter to a specialist and failed to properly adjust the implants and locators.
Richter claims she was caused to suffer severe facial and myofascial pain, pain in her mouth, facial bone loss, malpositioned implants that cut into her mouth, serious and permanent injuries and damages, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, reduced ability to socially interact, loss of functionality, infection in the gums due to the implants and future dental problems.
Richter seeks an amount in excess of $50,000. Richter is represented by Edward C. Kruse of Kruse Law LLC in Chesterfield, Mo.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 22-LA-000042