Nobody enjoys going to the dentist. We put up with the pain and discomfort because we know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially when it comes to things such as tooth decay. But what if the dental procedure itself is the cause of a whole new, extremely painful problem? What are your options after you suffer an oral nerve injury at the dentist’s office?
Potentially permanent pain
If your procedure required the dentist to do work on your jaw or lower teeth, it is possible that you suffered damage to the row of sensitive nerves that run beneath your lower teeth. Symptoms of damage to these nerves can include extreme pain and sensitivity in your gums, jaw and lower lip.
You might have also suffered damage to nerves in your tongue. This type of injury often results in loss of taste and numbness in the tongue.
Many times these injuries will heal on their own. Occasionally, however, the damage is so severe that the pain or numbness are permanent. In these cases, additional procedures are often required to repair or lessen the damage, if that is possible.
What you can do about it
If you suffer an oral nerve injury after a dental procedure, you may not have to deal with the injury on your own. You may have the option of bringing a dental malpractice suit against the dentist or oral surgeon who caused your injury.
In order to be successful in such a lawsuit, your attorney will have to prove a few factors. First, they will have to prove that your dentist had a specific standard that they were supposed to follow – a standard that we hold everyone in the dental industry to. Next, they will have to show how your dentist deviated from this standard.
Then, they will have to show the extent of your injury. Finally, they will have to demonstrate how your dentist’s deviation from their minimum standard of competency was the direct cause of your injury.
With luck, you will be able to recover compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as the cost of any corrective procedures you have to undergo. Hopefully a successful lawsuit will allow your life to return to normal after your painful injury.
