Dental Negligence

Cosmetic dental procedures are extremely popular with many people wanting the perfect smile or simply improving the appearance of your teeth. Treatments include bleaching, veneers, orthodontics, dental implants, bridges, crowns and the replacement of amalgam fillings.

It does not matter which procedure you underwent, if your cosmetic treatment went wrong then we can help you claim compensation from those responsible.

Dental implants are fitted by way of metal posts being inserted into the jaw and thereafter the replacement teeth are attached onto the post. A high degree of skill is required in performing this procedure and if the metal posts are positioned incorrectly the procedure will likely fail and the costs of repair treatment can be high. This procedure if performed correctly, should have no adverse follow on symptoms.

However, if you begin to experience pain and discomfort, or more significantly later become aware that the treatment was not suitable for you then you may have a negligence claim. Even if the implant is not aligned correctly this could result in an infection as the tooth will be difficult to clean.

Dental bridges are fitted where you have gaps in your teeth which could lead to decay or gum disease. Bridges can have several benefits as they keep your other teeth aligned, improve appearance and make chewing food easier. If the bridge does not have the desired outcome, whether that is in its appearance or functionality then you may have grounds to make a claim.

A poorly fitted bridge can cause infection or tooth decay. Prior to undertaking the procedure your dentist must investigate whether the adjacent teeth are able to support the bridge and that you are suitable for such treatment.

A dental veneer is typically fitted to improve the look of a tooth by bonding a thin layer of porcelain on the existing tooth. As with any dental procedure there is risk involved however if following the treatment, the veneer has resulted in an infection or increased sensitivity this can be considered negligent.

Additionally, the aesthetic look, if not achieved, could result in you having to spend more money to remedy the failings on the part of your dentist which could also give rise to a claim.

A Crown is an artificial restoration that is usually fitted to a prepared tooth or inserted onto a dental implant to give it the shape of a natural tooth. If the crown is not fitted properly then this can cause decay and can damage the tooth itself as it will be difficult to clean.

In such cases it is entirely possible for the tooth to be lost due to the damage caused. In order to fit a crown some of the tooth is removed however if excess amounts are removed this could increase sensitivity or damage the nerve within the tooth.

Other common mistakes include a failure to remove all the decay in the tooth before the filling is placed or the filling overhangs the tooth, trapping food.

Teeth can be removed for various reasons however care must be taken by your dentist when doing so. Your dentist, as a course of good practice, should assess the tooth to be removed and/or perform an x-ray prior to any extraction. Tooth extraction performed poorly can result in damage to the nerve or gums which can require future corrective treatment.

If necessary, your dentist should make a referral if a specialist is required to remove the tooth if there is risk of nerve damage or if the extraction is complicated. Where an extraction has been performed poorly this can lead to infection, nerve damage, jaw bone damage due to excess force or damage to other teeth.

Periodontal disease affects the gums and can damage the bone supporting the teeth. During your regular check-ups your dentist should look out for signs of oral disease such as bleeding gums, decay or inflammation. Your dentist should put a plan in place to treat the symptoms, prevent further spread and to also monitor the issue.

Your dentist should have advised you of oral hygiene techniques or made a referral to a hygienist. Failure by your dentist to do so can result in a negligence claim.

If the gum disease is not treated early there is a significant risk of tooth loss, nerve damage or loss of jawbone. Restorative treatment for gum disease can be very expensive if left for a significant period. We will look to recover compensation on your behalf to include the cost of future repair treatment as well as any other losses that have been incurred.

In order to have the best chance of treating cancer, early diagnosis is vital. Where a dentist has failed to recognise the symptoms of oral cancer or fails to take appropriate action this can significantly reduce life expectancy. Typical symptoms can include mouth ulcers, lumps or patch on the tongue.

A delay in diagnosis will inevitably lead to pain and suffering and the longer the delay in diagnosing the symptoms the less treatment options will be available. Our dental negligence team are experienced in these cases and can guide and support you throughout the claim process.

Root canal is a common procedure to treat an infection at the middle of the tooth. Where the procedure is not performed to a reasonable standard this can result in the pain continuing or even the tooth being lost.

The treatment can go wrong for several reasons such as failure on part of the dentist to fill the canal fully which can lead to infection. Your dentist must ensure the procedure is performed to a standard whereby risk of future infection is removed.

Nerve damage caused by oral surgery or tooth extraction can cause a variety of symptoms such as pain to the face and jaw, loss of taste, numb sensation or discomfort when chewing or talking.

If left untreated the symptoms can considerably deteriorate further. Our dental solicitors can help you make a claim for the symptoms you now suffer from and will also look to recover compensation to help pay for recovery treatment.

Orthodontics is a speciality within dentistry which improves the positioning of teeth. If you have received treatment to a poor standard you may have a dental negligence claim. Failure to assess the patient or poor planning can result in the loss of teeth.

Braces when fitted properly can help straighten your teeth, however if they are not fitted correctly at the outset then this can cause significant long-term problems when they are removed.

If you have had braces fitted, and you dentist has not advised you as to the proper cleaning methods then your dentist has not properly conducted his job. If this has led to complications, then contact one of our Solicitors and they can assess your circumstances to establish whether they give rise to a claim.

A failure by the dentist to properly assess the patient and their medical history prior to commencing treatment can result in improper and unsuitable treatment which leads to long term pain and suffering. The medical history may have been an indicator as to whether the treatment was likely to succeed or fail.

If a competent dentist would have judged that the proposed treatment was likely to fail then you may have a claim against your dentist for not only pain and injury but also for long term damage caused to your teeth.