Teen gets £11,000 payout after his teeth were left sticking from braces
A student has been awarded £11,000 after a dentist gave him braces that left his teeth sticking out.
Kai Orley, 18, from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, endured three-and-a-half years of dental work to try and improve his smile.
He says it has been a ‘traumatic’ nightmare ever since his first dentist appointment aged 10.
The teen was treated by Dr Andrew Zaranko for orthodontic treatment at Belasis Dental Practice, in Billingham.
Kai said: ‘My front four teeth gradually began to stick out, which had never been an issue before.
‘It was an extremely frustrating and traumatic experience that affected my mental health and my diet a lot throughout secondary school.
‘The retainers made me miserable as they were so painful and uncomfortable.
‘I constantly felt anxious about my teeth and I found it really hard to eat lunch at school for a time as I was in so much discomfort.’
‘I first visited Dr Zaranko in Year 6 of primary school to discuss orthodontic work when I was ten years old.
‘Tooth extractions were discussed, but Dr Zaranko thought I could proceed without them, and we started the orthodontic work properly in April 2017 when I was 11, and then in January 2018 I had a fixed brace installed.
‘Throughout 2018 and 2019, I attended appointments nearly every month to have coils and elastics fitted and adjusted, but it didn’t seem like my teeth had got any better at all.
‘My front four teeth gradually began to stick out, which had never been an issue before.
‘Mum and I raised concerns about the lack of improvement but were constantly told by Dr Zaranko that it would get better – we just needed more time.’
Kai’s mum got in touch with another dentist for a second opinion in November 2020.
