Man sues after wearing braces for 11 years

He had worn braces for an incredible 11 years, having never seen his mouth without metal since the age of seven. When 18-year-old Devin Bost finally took them off you would think it would have been a time of celebration at the Portland, Oregon teenager's beautiful straight and white teeth. He had not seen his mouth without dental braces since aged seven. But Bost, now 22, is suing his orthodontist Brad Chvatal, accusing him of causing permanent injuries to his teeth, mouth and gums.

Bost wants $150,000 for pain and suffering plus $35,100 he has paid for corrective oral surgery and related expenses, his papers lodged in Multnomah County Circuit Court show. Dr John Buzzatto, president of the American Association of Orthodontists, said that children typically wear braces for one to three years. He described someone wearing braces for 11 years as "extremely unusual" and said "he could not think of an instance" where someone would need to do that.

He added that wearing braces for a long time posed problems for the wearer in keeping their teeth properly clean. He said people wearing braces for a prolonged period could risk decalcification of the teeth. Chvatal was unable to discuss the details of the case due to confidentiality rules but said that it was "very complicated." He said that he and Bost’s previous orthodontist had tried to give Bost "the best result we possibly could."

Bost’s lawyer, David Hollander, said his client simply did as his orthodontist instructed over the years. In 2008, Bost got an "urgent phone call" from Chvatal’s office saying that he needed to have his braces removed straight away, said the compliant. Chvatal’s website says: "Each time a patient's braces come off, we sing and have a party." Chvatal’s insurer, the American Association of Orthodontists Insurance Company, are carrying out an investigation.