In 2013, plaintiff Nathalie Cox, 36, presented to Dr. Margarita Metrikina, a dentist in Los Angeles, for an examination, during which Cox was diagnosed with periodontal disease. Cox ultimately lost six of her teeth due to severe gum disease. Cox sued Metrikina, alleging that Margarita failed to refer her to a periodontal specialist and that the failure constituted dental malpractice. Cox claimed that Metrikina departed from the standard of care by not referring her to a periodontist for treatment. The plaintiff’s dental expert opined that had Metrikina referred Cox to a periodontist, Cox would have gotten treatment for her gum disease and would not have lost six teeth. Metrikina denied departing from the standard of care and treatment of Cox. She claimed that Cox had severe underlying dental issues prior to presenting to her care and that the state of Cox’s teeth was beyond any repair or periodontal treatment., Cox claimed that due to the progression of her periodontal disease, she had to have six teeth extracted. She alleged that as a result, she required dental implants. Thus, Cox sought recovery of her medical costs and recovery of damages for her pain and suffering.