A DENTAL patient has been left facing a £10,000 repair bill after treatment to solve the space between her teeth went wrong.

A clinical assessor told the General Dental Council the treatment by Dr Gareth Davies provided to the woman at the Colchester Orthodontic Centre was “below the level of professional practice reasonably expected”.

The assessor said Dr Davies - who has never had any other complaints made against him - did not record whether there was "asymmetry" occurring in the patient's jaw during the treatment.

But the conclusion of an investigation found Dr Davies would face no further action and he had not breached any principles of standards.

The investigation also found there was "no real prospect" of any malpractice being found and that matter was closed. 

The patient, who asked the Gazette not to be named out of embarrassment, now has a wide open bite and said she suffers severe pain every day.

Halstead Gazette: teeth before

The patient's teeth in 2015

She said one tooth is also turning black, having not been included in a brace which was put on the lower tier of her teeth.

The insurance worker says she has also had to change how she speaks in order to pronounce words correctly.

She has been offered a £2,600 refund by the orthodontist but experts say corrective treatment will cost about £10,000.

She said: “It has been hell and I have been left feeling helpless.

“The only way I am dealing with it at the moment is by not looking at them and brushing then without using a mirror.

“The one that’s turned black that was left out of the arch is extremely painful and it sensitive so I have to brush with warm water. My dentist has confirmed it has died from being left out of arch.”

Halstead Gazette:

The patient's teeth in 2016, after her treatment

“The centre’s insurers have said they will not increase the offer and will only provide the refund of £2,600 which is minus the original consultation fee.

“The treatment - if they can even be fixed now - could cost about £10,000 as I will need gum grafts and teeth extractions.”

She added: “I don't want money for myself - I don’t want damages. I just want to be able to pay to have them put right.

“My teeth have actually been left looking like something out of The Hills Have Eyes.”

Dr Davies said: “The General Dental Council investigated the claim a year ago and has reviewed it again this year, concluding that no further action would be taken on both occasions.

“It would be inappropriate for me to comment further as I am limited in what I can say due to patient confidentiality.

"However, I always strive to provide the best possible care and service to all my patients.”