What Is a Dental Injury?
Dental or orthodontic injuries involve the teeth, gums, tongue, and other parts of your mouth. Some of the most common dental injuries include broken, lost, or displaced teeth and damaged gums. Dental infections may also occur if the original damage in your mouth does not heal properly or your dental provider does not appropriately treat you.
Tooth extraction injuries are common when a dentist, orthodontist, or other professional fails to remove a tooth completely or appropriately. These injuries may lead to loss of other teeth, infection, or excessive bleeding.
How Do Dental Injuries Happen?
Dental injuries due to negligence occur when a dentist, oral surgeon, orthodontist, or other professional fails to uphold their duty to you – the patient. That means that they did not provide appropriate treatment or act under the standards of their profession.
Many dental injuries happen during oral surgery. Oral surgeons work closely with anesthesiologists and nurses, all of whom have significant responsibilities during a surgery. One slip of the hand can cause considerable damage to your mouth.
Who Is Liable for Dental Injuries?
If a dental professional hurts you, he or she can be held responsible. Dentists, orthodontists, nurses, dental techs, and oral surgeons, amongst others, may be to blame. Their employer, often a dental practice, can also be held accountable.
In almost every instance of dental negligence, the insurer of these companies and individuals will be held financially liable. Dental professionals and clinics often have insurance policies with high limits, so we will likely be able to get all of the compensation you need to fix the mistakes they made. Additionally, you may be able to get money for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages you have incurred.
Can I Sue for Oral Cancer?
While it is not likely that a dental professional or clinic caused your cancer, they may have failed to diagnose it or treat it appropriately. Your regular dentist should perform routine exams that screen for oral cancer. If it is missed and there is a delay in diagnosis and you suffer, he or she may be held responsible.
If you receive negligent treatment for your oral cancer, you may also be able to hold someone responsible for your damages. Oral cancer can have a long-lasting impact on the way your mouth functions. Immediate treatment upon diagnosis is essential. If there is a delay in treatment or your doctors do not treat you aggressively enough, they might be responsible for any harm done.
Contact a Dental Malpractice Attorney for Help
It’s important to have dental professionals who understand your needs and treat you appropriately. If one fails to provide the care you deserve and causes you harm because of it, they should be held responsible. Our dental malpractice lawyers will compassionately listen to your story and help you get the compensation you need.
Call Atlee Hall today at (717) 393-9596 or use our online contact form to reach out for an initial consultation.