Lawsuit Claims AGGA Device Damaged Teeth, Resulting in Disfiguring Injury

According to allegations raised in a recently filed product liability lawsuit, the Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance (AGGA) is defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous, causing a California man to suffer significant damage to his teeth from the dental device, resulting in migraines, jaw problems and other permanent injuries.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Joseph Dimola on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, pursuing damages from the AGGA device designers, Dr. Steve Galella, and Orthomatrix Corp., Inc., which does business as the Facial Beauty Institute, and Orthologic, as well as John’s Dental Laboratory, Inc., indicating that the defendants failed to provide adequate warnings or training for dentists promoting the AGGA device to their patients.

The AGGA dental device involves a metal wire insert that is placed between the teeth, which is supposed to help remodel or expand an adult’s jaw, without the need of surgery. However, a growing number of reports have surfaced involving problems where the AGGA actually pushed the upper teeth out of their housing, resulting in tooth loss, gum damage, facial disfigurement, nerve problems and other dental complications, often resulting in the need for corrective surgery.

Over the last year, a number of similar AGGA device lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers and developers of the dental appliance, which have gained significant attention from the media, federal regulators, and law enforcement agencies due to the allegations being raised.

Dimola’s lawsuit indicates his dentist installed the AGGA device in December 2020, but by May 2021 he had to have the appliance removed.

“Throughout the course of treatment with AGGA, Plaintiff began to experience intense migraines, which he had never experienced until he began AGGA treatment,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff additionally began to experience TMJ pain and his bite was off. Plaintiff informed his doctor of those symptoms, as well as the fact that he continued to suffer with sleep apnea, and he was reassured that his symptoms would resolve.”

However, according to the complaint, even after the AGGA device was removed, Dimola continued to experience facial and jaw tension, as well as migraines.

The lawsuit alleges the dental device is not safe for adult use, and is more dangerous than an ordinary dentist or patient would suspect.

Dimola presents claims of negligence, and violations of Indiana product liability laws. He seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.

AGGA Device Lawsuits

AGGA injury lawyers are pursuing similar lawsuits for individuals nationwide, alleging that the dental appliance was negligently designed and that users were given false representations about the efficacy and safety.

Settlements and financial compensation from an AGGA appliance lawsuit payout may be available for individuals who received an AGGA treatment and suffered any of the following injuries;

• Loosing of upper teeth (anterior maxillary teeth)
• Tooth loss and/or damage
• Tooth or Jaw pain
• Flared teeth
• Gum Recession
• Tissue breakdown around tooth (Root Resorption)
• Tooth socket bone loss (Alveolar bone loss)
• Facial disfigurement
• Nerve damage
• Required corrective surgery