Very few people enjoy going to the dentist, and going for a dental procedure that involves extractions, implants, or root canals can be particularly unenjoyable.
Regardless of the reason for your visit, dentists are required like any other medical professional to provide you with top quality care and not cause any negligent or reckless mistakes with your treatment that could cause you additional harm.
If you believe that your dentist caused nerve damage during a dental procedure, an experienced dental malpractice attorney such as Harry Albritton can help you hold them accountable.
Nerve Damage after Dental Procedures
Dental procedures, especially those that involve extractions, implants, root canals, or other procedures where the dentist is digging below the gum line, expose many nerves in the mouth to potential harm. Symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, paralysis, loss of sensation, loss of taste, and diminished function that last long after the local anesthetic wears off.
Alterations to feeling, sensation, taste, or function in your mouth in the weeks to months after a dental procedure can be the result of nerve damage. Typically, when a dentist causes nerve damage during a procedure, one of the two major nerves is normally affected:
- Lingual nerve: This nerve runs along the tongue, and damage usually causes loss or altered sensation, numb tongue, pain, and loss of taste. Minor damage can result in these symptoms for a few months, but symptoms lasting more than six months often become permanent.
- Inferior alveolar nerve: This nerve runs below the bottom teeth, and damage to this nerve typically causes loss or alterations to sensation in the lower teeth, gums, chin, and lower lip. If the procedure involved your lower jaw or procedures on your lower teeth, this nerve may be involved.
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Causes of Nerve Damage During Dental Procedures
Dentists and other dental professionals owe you the same standard of care as any other doctor, surgeon, or medical professional. When they are negligent or reckless in their care, a dentist must be held responsible for the harm caused. Dental malpractice can happen in a number of different ways, resulting in nerve damage for the patient. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Failure to check medical history
- Substandard treatment during the procedure
- Failure to check MRIs and CT scans
- Negligence when extracting lower teeth or molars
- Negligence placing an implant
- Negligence in placing a bridge
- Negligence in injecting anesthesia
- Extracting a tooth in a way that causes tearing or trauma
- Failure to refer the victim to a specialist
If you believe that your dentist caused nerve damage during your dental procedure, it is important that you talk to a lawyer about your claims right away.
Call or Contact Us Today
Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Attorney Albritton with Irons & Irons P.A. understands the pain and stress dental malpractice can cause his clients. Call the office or contact us online today to schedule a free appointment to review your dental malpractice case.