Patients bite back as claims over cosmetic dentistry almost double

LEGAL claims over botched cosmetic dentistry have almost doubled in three years as young adults seek to replicate the smiles of social media personalities, according to solicitors.

Half of the negligence cases were regarding veneers: thin sheets of porce- lain fitted over the front of teeth, which in some cases can involve filing down existing teeth to small stumps.

In the past year, there has been a 60 per cent increase in settled veneers cases alone compared with the previous year, figures from negligence solicitors the Dental Law Partnership show.

As the statistics were released, former Miss England contestant April Gilmartin spoke of the dangers.

The 32-year-old, from Blackpool, Lancs, won a £30,000 pay-out after her dentist caused permanent damage when fitting four veneers to her upper front teeth. Her veneers began to come loose and fall out within months, leaving her unable to eat as a result of the pain.

The damage caused required years of corrective treatment and she is now left with small, filed down teeth under her new veneers. By the time her teeth were corrected, she had decided to retire from pageants.

Ms Gilmartin, who won her case, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that reality TV shows and social media are increasing the demand for young people to get treatments such as veneers.

“Young people today feel the need to become ‘perfect’ – picture filters make everyone on Instagram look like they have the perfect straight, white smile, so people assume they must look like that in real life.”

A full set of veneers can need to be replaced every five to 10 years, with a cost that can easily exceed £10,000 each time.

Chris Dean, who is a dentist and a solicitor and one of the directors of the Dental Law Partnership, said: “We have seen a huge increase in claims for cosmetic dental treatments which have gone wrong in the past few years.

“I have no doubt that reality shows like Love Island, amplified by social media, have contributed to the dramatic increase.

“Claims for negligent treatment have increased by 89 per cent since 2019.”

Mr Dean also warned against the trend for people to go abroad to have work done in order to save money on the cost of treatment.

89pc

The rise in claims of negligent cosmetic dental treatment since 2019, according to the Dental Law Partnership