Nerve Damage Attorneys in New York
Holding Negligent Dental Professionals Accountable
While it makes sense for us to expect our dentists and other medical professionals to prioritize our safety and not make our existing symptoms or conditions worse, sometimes, unfortunately, dentists and orthodontists make mistakes. One of the most common reasons why patients file dental malpractice claims is because of nerve damage as a result of a botched surgery or even a routine procedure.
Nerve damage can be long-lasting and permanent and may even have an impact on the way you live your life. If you or a loved one has been injured by your dental professional, you can rely on Chianese & Reilly Law to handle your case with the professionalism and respect it deserves. With more than 50 years of experience, our New York nerve damage attorneys have the resources and skills needed to pursue compensation on your behalf and be your voice during this painful time.
Contact our dental malpractice attorney online or by phone at (516) 614-6516 to schedule your free consultation. We offer compassionate service to our clients in their time of need.
How Does Nerve Damage Happen?
There are two main nerves in the mouth that can be damaged by dentists as a result of improper or inadequate techniques: the lingual nerve and the inferior alveolar nerve.
Common dental techniques and procedures that can cause nerve damage include:
- Dental implants: In order to receive dental implants, holes must be drilled into the jaw during the fitting process. Nerve damage can occur if the dentist drills too far. Additionally, nerve damage can also result if the implant is too long and presses on the tooth nerve when it’s placed.
- Root canal treatment: To treat teeth that are infected or damaged, dentists have to remove the nerve and pulp before they clean away bacteria and seal it to prevent any further infection. However, this treatment can cause nerve damage if there is trauma during the procedure, or if the solution reaches other parts of the mouth or jaw.
- Tooth extraction
While some routine dental procedures result in adverse side effects that last for hours or days and are to be expected, it is when the symptoms are long-term that you may learn you’ve suffered serious damage and need to file a claim.
Nerve damage can make it difficult to eat, drink, or speak normally, impact your ability to taste, and interfere with oral function abilities. These injuries can not only be painful but change the way you live the rest of your life. We rely on our oral functions for just about everything, including for consuming sustenance to keep us alive.
Common Nerve Injuries
It’s important to be aware of the two main types of nerve injuries and the symptoms associated with them so you can determine whether you’ve suffered nerve damage. If you have experienced prolonged pain or numbness following your routine procedure or surgery, you must seek treatment immediately. Some symptoms that seem minor could worsen if left untreated.
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries
The inferior alveolar nerve runs below the bottom teeth and is also responsible for creating sensations in your chin, lower lip, and lower teeth and gums. These injuries can occur as the result of wisdom teeth removal, placement of dental implants, or an overfilled tooth during a root canal procedure.
Common symptoms associated with this type of nerve damage include:
- Drooling
- Pain, burning, or electric shock sensations in the gums, lip, and chin
- Numbness in the gums, lip, and chin
- Speech impairment
Lingual Nerve Injuries
The lingual nerve runs across the tongue, which means that any damage to it can cause lost taste sensations, altered mouth sensations, pain, and numbness in the tongue. Wisdom teeth extractions can cause this type of injury.
Proving fault for cases involving nerve damage can be tricky and require a lot of evidence, such as visual proof in the form of radiographs. Our attorneys can help and know what we need to do in order to build a strong claim that can recover damages like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries today by calling our New York nerve damage attorneys at (516) 614-6516. We offer free consultations and have extensive experience settling dental malpractice cases.
Medical Malpractice FAQ
Can I Sue My Dentist for Nerve Damage?
The short answer is yes. If you suffer from nerve damage after getting dental work as long as you can prove medical negligence for the nerve damage.
