Mullins v. Alveolar Dental Co.
Mullins v. Alveolar Dental Co.
Opinion of the Court
The respondent, Mrs. Patrick Mullins, was attracted by an advertisement of the appellant Alveolar Dental Company, of which appellant R. T. Royal is manager, and Contracted with it to make for her a set of upper and lower teeth according to a peculiar process or system of which the company claims to be proprietor. The contract price for the work was $280. Mrs. Mullins paid $100 at the time of entering into the contract and $180 when the work was finished. The work was guaranteed to be satisfactory and to give satisfaction during the term of the life of the patient. The process employed by the dental company is to make a set of teeth without plates and to fasten it to such teeth or roots of teeth as may be in the mouth. Instead of bridging the intervening spaces, the structure is supported by resting it upon what is called a saddle, which fits closely over and along the alveola ridge, with a concave surface.
It is contended that the testimony does not support the findings. We think the testimony is ample to show that the work did not meet the representations of the defendants ; that the teeth were unsatisfactory and unsightly, and by reason of the fact that the saddle fits down closely upon the alveola ridge, allowing food to accumulate which could not be readily removed, thus causing fermentation and irritation and the breath to become fetid and foul, unsanitary.
But it is contended that, in any event, respondents are not entitled to recover for pain and suffering. If the testimony of the respondent Mrs. Mullins is to be believed, and we find no reason in the record for disbelieving it, we think that the trial judge was well within the bounds of moderation when he fixed the sum of $70 as general damages. We find no reason for disallowing this item of damages.
Appellants contend that respondents have been permitted to recover upon a theory not advanced or set out in their
The judgment is affirmed.
Ellis, C. J., Morris, Main, and Webster, JJ., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.