Los Angeles Dental Malpractice Attorney

Dental Malpractice Cases

Dental malpractice can occur at the hands of a dentist, periodontist, or oral surgeon during any dental procedure. Negligence on the part of a dental professional can lead to the loss of teeth, infections, abscesses, unnecessary bleeding, and more. Common cases can include nerve injury from a tooth extraction, dental implant placement, or root canal procedures, leading to persistent numbness and/or permanent pain.

In some instances, a dentist may fail to diagnose or inadequately treat periodontal disease or infections related to tooth decay. Other times, a medical professional may even perform treatment that is beyond their scope of training and ability, such as a general dentist performing oral surgery that he or she is not qualified for.

Other common examples of dental malpractice can include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Lacerations of the gums, tongue, or other areas of the mouth
• Lacerations of nerves, resulting in nerve damage
• Anesthesia errors, resulting in the patient feeling extreme pain during a procedure
• Performance of unnecessary treatments or procedures
• Ignoring the patient’s consent for treatment and proceeding with further procedures
• Performing the wrong procedure on a patient
• Jaw fracture resulting from oral surgery
• Inadequate treatment or failure to diagnose oral cancer
• Poorly placed or defective crowns, bridges, or veneers
• Excessively contoured restorations causing bleeding gums

Also, CDC guidelines require dentists and assistants to meet certain sanitation standards and perform routine maintenance on medical equipment. This includes flushing dental unit lines and devices with water and periodically chemically purging these lines. These safety procedures are designed to prevent the dangerous buildup of biofilm in the equipment water lines, which can lead to infections. If a medical professional fails to adhere to these sterilization guidelines, they could be held liable.

In some instances, the injury may not be the fault of the dentist, but rather of the medical equipment failing to perform as it was intended. In these cases, the manufacturer may be held responsible for a defective product, in which case you may still have grounds for a lawsuit but it would be known as a product liability case. This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to determine the correct angle for your case.