Dental negligence can be a stressful experience, both short-term and long-term. When you put your trust in a medical professional’s hands, you expect their service and care to be top-notch.
Occasionally, however, their service falls below a competent level, and you end up suffering the consequences.
There are many different types of dental negligence issues in the UK, but what are the most common? Our team of experts at Injury Lawyers Direct have looked into this topic and found the most common types of compensation claims against dental professionals.
Oral cancer misdiagnosis
If you visited the dentist and they failed to carry out the necessary investigations after potentially discovering symptoms relating to oral cancer, you could be entitled to make a dental negligence claim.
What type of symptoms could they be looking for?
- Ulcers that haven’t healed within three weeks
- Lumps in the lymph glands that won’t go away
- Lumps in the mouth that either can’t be explained or won’t go away
- Bleeding and a numb feeling in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in voice or speech
- Unexplained weight loss
If a dentist sees some of these symptoms but does not perform further checks, and you end up being diagnosed with cancer, you can open a compensation claim.
Nerve damage
Nerve damage can occur during oral surgery, which can produce intense ongoing pain and frustration. A dentist’s negligence during the surgical procedure could be the result of your injury, leaving them open to a negligence claim.
The problems you could face from a dentist’s negligence during surgery could include changes to your physical appearance, infection, and nerve damage.
Nerve damage symptoms include:
- Numbness in the mouth, gums, jaw or face
- A tingling sensation in the same areas
- Unable to stop drooling
- A burning sensation in your jaw
- Issues with the movement of your tongue
Restorative damage
Some mistakes can occur during restorative treatment that can result in more pain and damage at your expense. Restorative dental treatments can include root canals, bridges, implants, and veneers, for example.
If the restorative treatment was done incorrectly, resulting in damage and long-term pain, then you would be well within your rights to pursue a compensation claim against the dentist who performed the procedure.
You may be eligible for a claim due to dental negligence if:
- Your dentist failed to treat tooth decay
- You were fitted with a faulty implant
- You had a filling that was poorly executed, which left decay in the tooth
- You were fitted with a poorly fitting bridge, crown or veneers
- You had teeth that were unnecessarily extracted
Cosmetic dentistry mistakes
Cosmetic dentistry refers to different types of dental treatment that are used to improve the appearance of a person’s teeth or smile. Common types of cosmetic dentistry include:
- Braces
- Implants
- Gum contouring
- Dentures
- Crowns and veneers
If any of these are installed incorrectly, or the dentist has used low-quality products, it can lead to lasting damage and intense pain for the patient. This opens up the opportunity to make a compensation claim.
Gum disease
Also known as gingivitis and periodontitis, gum disease can be extremely painful and lead to jawbone damage and tooth loss if it’s not treated properly and quickly.
Your dentist or dental hygienist should easily be able to detect any symptoms of gum disease, even in their early stages. The symptoms include:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Gum abscesses
If your dental professional either doesn’t spot the early signs of gum disease or decides not to treat them, leaving you suffering long-term with health complications, you could make a dental negligence claim.
Claim dental negligence with us
If you feel like you’ve experienced dental negligence, then you may be in line for some compensation. At Injury Lawyers Direct, we’re passionate about defending people like you, helping you claim back loss of earnings, medical expenses, or something else if you’ve been poorly treated by a medical professional.
In most cases, we work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, but each claim is different.
If you’d like to speak to our team of expert solicitors, don’t hesitate to contact us today by calling 0800 110 5888.
