The death of a Chinese man 13 days after a major dental procedure, where 23 teeth were extracted and 12 implants were inserted on the same day, has shocked the mainland.
The case came to light through an online post on September 2 by the man’s daughter, surnamed Shu, from Jinhua, Zhejiang province in eastern China.
She revealed that her father, surnamed Huang, whose age was not disclosed, underwent the extensive procedure at Yongkang Deway Dental Hospital on August 14.
According to the signed consent form, the surgeon used the “immediate restoration” method, in which 23 teeth were extracted and 12 implants placed during one procedure.
The surgeon, surnamed Yuan, has five years experience and specialises in root canal treatment, impacted wisdom tooth extraction, and complete dentures.
After the treatment, Huang reportedly endured constant pain.
On August 28, he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died.
“I never thought my dad would pass so quickly. He did not even get the chance to drive the new car we bought him,” Shu said.
While the total cost of the procedure was not disclosed, the latest price for one dental implant at this hospital is 1,500 yuan (US$210), reported Modern Express Post.
On September 3, an official from the Yongkang Municipal Health Bureau said: “Since there was a 13-day gap between the tooth extractions and his death, we are still investigating the cause.”
On September 6, a clinic staff member told the Post: “We will not be responding to this matter now as it has been handed over to our lawyer.
“If there are any updates, we will issue a statement; however, the investigation is ongoing.”
Xiang Guolin, director of the Dental Medicine Centre at the Hospital of Universal Love in Wuhan, told Jimu News there are no official guidelines for the number of teeth that can be extracted at one time, but the maximum is generally 10.
“Extracting 23 teeth is quite a lot. It requires a clinic and dentist with sufficient qualifications and experience. It’s also essential to consider the patient’s physical capacity to handle such an extensive procedure,” he said.
The news has left many Chinese online observers astounded.
“Removing 23 teeth in one day? How could they even consider doing that? I once asked to have two wisdom teeth taken out at the same time and the dentist refused,” one person commented.
“I’m a dentist, and I never extract more than three teeth at one time unless they’re very loose. The doctor must have lost his mind. It sounds more like a human experiment than a dental procedure.”
In January, an elderly man from Shanghai was the victim of clumsiness during a dental implant procedure where five teeth were being implanted for 25,000 yuan (US$3,500).
During the surgery, a metal implement was accidentally dropped into the patient’s throat and he visited five hospitals that day before the object was finally removed using an endoscope.
SCMP
