Risks of Nerve Damage During Oral Surgery
Tooth extraction, particularly the removal of impacted wisdom teeth, is a common dental procedure. Also considered routine are the surgical placement of dental implants. However, both of these oral surgeries carry risks that patients should be aware of, particularly the potential for nerve injuries.
Three nerves that are most commonly affected during oral surgery are the lingual nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve, and the trigeminal nerve. Damage to these nerves can lead to a range of troubling symptoms, and in some cases, the injury may be a result of dental malpractice.
Our attorneys have extensive experience with these types of cases, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of patients who have experienced nerve injury following dental extractions, implant placements or other dental surgeries.
Understanding Nerve Injuries
Lingual Nerve Injury: The lingual nerve provides sensation to the tongue. If this nerve is damaged during a tooth extraction, patients may experience numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation on one side of the tongue. In severe cases, the damage can be permanent, affecting taste and speech.
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury: The inferior alveolar nerve runs through the lower jaw and provides sensation to the lower lip and chin. Injury to this nerve can result in numbness or a loss of sensation in these areas. Patients may find it difficult to feel their lower lip, which can affect eating, drinking, and speaking.
Trigeminal neuralgia: The trigeminal nerve provides feeling and nerve signaling to the forehead, cheek, lower jaw, teeth, gums, and lips. In rare cases, patients with facial nerve injury may experience severe, chronic pain related to trigeminal nerve injury which can be characterized by sudden episodes of electric shock-like pain.
Symptoms of Nerve Injury
After a tooth extraction (particularly when removing an impacted wisdom tooth), implant placement or other oral surgery, it’s crucial to monitor for symptoms of nerve injury. Key symptoms include:
- Numbness in the tongue, lower lip, or chin on the affected side
- Tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation in these areas
- Pain or burning sensations
- Loss of taste or altered taste perception
- Difficulty with speech or movement of the affected area
These symptoms can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, and in some cases, the damage may be permanent.
When Is Nerve Injury a Result of Dental Malpractice?
Not all nerve injuries are a result of dental malpractice. However, there are situations where negligence may be involved. For example:
- Severing the Lingual Nerve: An overly aggressive extraction of wisdom teeth can result in a dentist inadvertently severing a patient’s lingual nerve. This will result in complete and permanent loss of taste and sensation on the impacted side of the tongue and mouth.
- Failure to Refer to an Oral Surgeon: Impacted wisdom teeth can be complex and risky to remove. If a general dentist attempts the extraction without the necessary expertise and fails to refer the patient to an oral surgeon, the risk of nerve injury increases significantly.
- Failure to Refer to a Nerve Specialist: After an extraction, if a patient reports numbness or other symptoms of nerve injury, the dentist should promptly refer them to a nerve specialist. Delaying this referral can result in the injury becoming permanent, which could have been avoided with timely intervention.
The Importance of Retaining an Experienced Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered an oral nerve injury following a tooth extraction, implant placement or other surgical procedure, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Nerve injuries can lead to lifelong consequences, and determining whether malpractice occurred requires a thorough investigation. Additionally, these cases are subject to statues of limitations.
An attorney with experience in medical malpractice cases can help:
- Investigate the circumstances of the extraction and the care provided by the dentist or oral surgeon
- Review medical records and consult with experts to determine if the standard of care was met
- Hold negligent parties accountable and seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages
Cohen & Malad’s medical malpractice team has extensive experience handling dental injury cases. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of patients who suffered nerve injuries following dental extractions, implant placements or other dental surgeries.
Navigating a dental malpractice claim can be complex, but with the right legal representation, you can pursue the justice and compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have relationships with numerous respected experts who routinely assist in assessing the dental treatment provided, and whether any portions of that treatment may be negligent. We do not charge for your initial consultation and do not collect fees until you are compensated for your claim.
For a free, confidential discussion of your rights and potential case, contact our dental malpractice team now or call 317.636-6481.
