When it comes to filing a malpractice lawsuit for dental negligence, you will need to prove that not only have you received a treatment below the acceptable standard, but you have also undergone serious personal injury from the treatment. Dental negligence lawsuits are often dismissed in cases where the individual does not prove the standard requirements of negligence.

To successfully sue a dentist for malpractice, we will need to prove that you have suffered an injury due to a dentist or dental hygienist’s quality of care. While there are a variety of symptoms associated with dental malpractice and each will be unique to the individual’s case, the following are the most common dental negligence lawsuits.

Tooth Extraction Negligence

Dental negligence during a tooth extraction is one of the most common dental malpractice lawsuits. Tooth extractions vary from fairly simple to complicated oral surgeries.

Unfortunately, dental negligence during tooth extractions is common, and the effects can be severe. Negligent dental extractions can lead to the following symptoms:

• Jaw joint injuries

• Removal of the incorrect tooth

• Fractured jaw

• Sinus perforation

• Injured nerves

• Infections

• Severe bleeding

• Death

If you’re experiencing complications from a dental extraction, they could be caused by dental malpractice. We recommend contacting our experienced malpractice attorney immediately to help you get to the bottom of your case.

Negligence During Endodontic Procedures

The second most common dental negligence cases occur from endodontic treatments. Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that treats infections in the tooth’s pulp, typically through a treatment known as root canal therapy.

Dentists specialized in endodontics are referred to as endodontists. Malpractice during endodontic procedures normally occurs when a general dentist tries to perform a treatment outside of his or her wheelhouse.

Failed root canal treatments often happen when a dentist does not properly sterilize equipment before performing a filling, uses too much force when performing the treatment resulting in nerve injury, or accidentally leaves an instrument in the tooth’s canal. Complications from a failed endodontic treatment include the following:

• Life-threatening infections

• Nerve and sinus damage

• Air embolisms

If you or a family member is suffering from any of the above symptoms or chronic pain as the result of malpractice, we recommend contacting our dental malpractice office today.

Negligence During Dental Implant Surgery

The placement of dental implants requires specialized knowledge and certifications. A patient’s treatment outcome frequently depends on the dentist’s training and experience. With that said, dental malpractice from an inexperienced dentist during implant surgery can lead to a great deal of harm. The most common symptoms from negligent dental implant placement include the following:

• Loss of feeling in the lip, chin, or gums

• Loss of feeling in the face

• Loss of feeling on one side of the tongue due to lingual nerve damage

• Sharp, stabbing pain in the face or jaw

• Headaches

• Tingling in the jaw or face

• Earaches

• Problems talking, smiling, or eating normally

• Altered sense of taste

• Drooling

If you’ve recently undergone dental implant surgery, and you’re suffering from an injury, you may be entitled to compensation.

Dental Negligence During Crown or Bridge Treatment

Dental negligence during a crown or bridge treatments is usually caused by incorrectly fitting the crown or bridge. Properly placing a dental crown or bridge requires cosmetic experience, proper technique, and careful attention.

Negligence when providing a crown or bridge can lead to many negative side effects for the patient. Some of the most common errors dentists make during crown or bridge treatments include the following:

• Improperly fitting crown

• Broken crown

• Incorrectly shaped crown

Substandard care when applying a bridge or crown can cause severe pain, damage to the tooth’s surface, tooth loss, and more.

Dental negligence during crown and bridge treatments frequently results from a general dentist with minimal cosmetic experience attempting full-mouth reconstructions requiring multiple crowns and bridges.

Lack of Informed Consent

Before performing a treatment, dentists should require patients to sign a consent form. In some cases, while performing a treatment, the dentist may find other issues that were not explained to the patient or included in the consent form. At this time, the dentist might perform the treatment to address the new issue. However, if something goes wrong resulting in injury, you might be eligible for compensation since you did not give consent for the additional treatment.

Not Sure if You Are Entitled to a Malpractice Claim?

Are you dealing with complications after by a dental procedure? These complications could be the result of dental negligence. Call Arizona Dental Law Group today for a free case evaluation at 602-833-4200.