Understanding Dental Nerve Injury: Consequences, Damages and Legal Options in Georgia

Dental care is essential to overall health, but sometimes, dental procedures lead to unintended dental injuries. One of the most significant risks associated with dental treatment is nerve damage. This blog post will explore which dental procedures often result in nerve damage, the impact of such injuries on you, and how to find a Georgia attorney specializing in dental malpractice — if you or a loved one has suffered an injury from dental malpractice.

Dental Procedures Most Often Resulting in Nerve Damage

Many dental procedures carry a risk of nerve injury, with the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and the lingual nerve being the most common nerves injured by malpractice. The following are the procedures most frequently associated with dental nerve damage in Georgia:

1. Dental Implants: The placement of dental implants, especially in the lower jaw, poses a risk of nerve injury from malpractice. When a dentist or oral surgeon drills into the jawbone to place an implant, there is a potential for the implant or the surgical instruments to come into contact with the inferior alveolar or mental nerve, leading to damage.

2. Root Canal Treatment: During a root canal, the dentist removes infected tissue from the root of a tooth. If the procedure is not performed within the standard of care, the root can be over instrumented and causing a perforation of the root which damages the surrounding nerves, causing injury.

The Impact of Dental Nerve Damage on Patients

Dental nerve damage can be life-altering. The most common types of dental nerve injuries involve the inferior alveolar nerve and the lingual nerve, although the infra-orbital nerve can also be severely damaged by some careless dental procedures. Depending on the severity of the damage, the effects can range from mild to debilitating. The following are signs and symptom of dental nerve injuries that we have seen our Georgia clients suffer from:

•Numbness: Patients may experience numbness in the affected area, which can include, depending on the nerve injured by the dental procedure, the lips, chin, gums, teeth and tongue. This numbness may be temporary or permanent and affect daily life, including eating, speaking, and kissing. I have also known many Georgia clients express that, due to the numbness, they feel “less than whole” or like something has been taken away from them.

•Pain: Neuropathic pain, often described as burning, tingling, or shooting pain, can occur in the damaged nerve area. This pain can be constant or intermittent and can severely impact a person’s quality of life.

•Loss or Altered Sense of Taste: If the lingual nerve is affected, patients may experience a partial or complete loss of taste on one side of the tongue, which can be distressing and affect appetite and nutrition. Sometimes the damage to the lingual nerve manifests in an altered sense of taste or a burning sensation when eating certain foods. This is also very distressing to those in Georgia who are affected but this.

•Speech Impairment: Dental nerve damage can make speech difficult or slurred, which may lead to embarrassment and social withdrawal. It can also cause one side of the face to droop. Many doctors diagnose this as Bells Palsy, but this is often not a correct diagnosis as the cause of the symptoms is nerve damage caused by a dental procedure.

•Psychological Effects: The ongoing pain, discomfort, and functional impairments caused by nerve damage to the mouth can lead to significant pain and suffering, including anxiety, depression, and a reduced ability to enjoy life and/or an inability or reduced capacity to work.

Seeking Legal Help for Dental Nerve Damage

If you have suffered nerve damage as a result of a dental procedure, it is crucial to seek legal advice from an attorney who specializes in dental malpractice. Here’s how to find the right legal representation:

1.Look to Speak to a Lawyer Who Regularly handles Georgia Dental Malpractice Cases: Not all personal injury lawyers have experience with dental malpractice. Look for attorneys who not only specifically list dental malpractice or medical malpractice as their area of expertise, but who actually work on dental cases on a regular basis. This specialization ensures that the attorney is familiar with the complexities of dental procedures and the standards of care applicable to a Georgia Dental Malpractice case.

2.Check Experience and Track Record: When considering any Georgia attorney, ask about their experience and successes handling dental nerve damage cases. An experienced attorney will have a track record of successfully resolving similar cases, whether through settlements or trials.

3.Consultations: One you have found an attorney who regularly handles dental malpractice cases in Georgia, you should discuss your case, understand your legal options, and assess whether the attorney is a good fit for you. During this consultation, the attorney will typically evaluate the merits of your case, including whether the nerve damage was the result of negligence and whether the case is one that they can pursue on your behalf.

4.Understand the Legal Process: Dental malpractice cases are often complex and require expert testimony to establish that the standard of care was breached. Your attorney will guide you through the process, from gathering evidence and consulting with experts — to sending a demand to the dentist’s insurance company or taking the case to trial in a Georgia court in front of a Georgia judge and jury.

Conclusion

Dental nerve damage can have profound and lasting effects on a person’s life. If you have suffered such an injury due to a dental procedure, it’s important to seek legal help from a specialized attorney who can guide you through the complexities of a dental malpractice case. By taking the right steps, you can hold the dentist accountable and receive compensation for your damages.