While many people dread dental procedures due to sensitivities or fears, dental malpractice can be a very real concern if a professional seems only to cause a problem to become worse. It may be difficult to know at what point a dentist has crossed into the area of dental malpractice if a patient suffers frequent dental pain or other issues after receiving treatment. Failure of a professional to uphold accepted practices in their work that could lead to further injury, pain or death, may be construed as dental malpractice.
Dental malpractice might occur in many ways. Failures to diagnose or treat serious formation problems or oral diseases might be considered malpractice. Incorrect procedures involving the use of tools or the installation of dental products might also be viewed as dental malpractice. Errors in anesthesia, tooth impressions or prosthetic device fits might result in avoidable injury as well. Furthermore, some victims may suffer from infections or paralysis of the face in a possible dental malpractice case.
One of the most frustrating issues facing someone who has suffered dental malpractice is the fact that most dental injuries cannot be easily remedied. A pulled tooth, for example, cannot be replaced if it was removed in error. A dentist’s recommendation to place a bridge that is structurally unsound could result in pain and embarrassment for the individual who has to deal with missing teeth while a fix is sought. Additionally, it can be frustrating to deal with a professional who blames the patient for the failure of a procedure or device.
If you are dealing with ongoing stresses in an area related to your dental care and suspect that the accepted standard of care has not been applied, it may be beneficial to discuss your situation with a lawyer. You can read more about these issues on our dental malpractice page.