Are your lips or tongue numb?
Have you lost your ability to taste?
Is it difficult to feel hot and cold sensations on your lips, tongue or mouth?
If any of these situations apply to you after having a tooth extraction or dental implant, you may have suffered from nerve damage.
Permanent dental nerve damage can often be avoided if severed nerves are repaired quickly. If your dental care provider fails to diagnose or timely refer you to a specialist – it could be considered dental malpractice and you may have a legal claim.
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Nerve Damage After Tooth Extraction
Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure but that doesn’t mean that it is without risk. Complications can occur as a result of wisdom tooth extractions. In some cases, these complications can have a devastating and lifelong impact.
The lingual nerve runs along the jaw and underneath the tongue. Damage to the lingual nerve is most commonly caused by wisdom tooth surgery and extraction. Symptoms of lingual nerve damage include
- Numbing of the tongue
- Loss of taste
- Altered taste
- Tingling sensation in the tongue
- Impaired speech
- Tongue pain
If timely treated, lingual nerve damage may not be permanent. Studies indicate microsurgery can repair a severed trigeminal or lingual nerve with excellent results if the procedure is performed within 90 days of the injury. If you have experienced lingual nerve damage after wisdom tooth extraction and were not treated by a specialist soon after the injury, contact us. Our dental malpractice attorneys can provide you with a free case evaluation and discuss your legal rights.
Nerve Damage After Dental Implants
A dental implant is a type of artificial tooth and root attached to the jaw bone with a metal screw to hold the implant in place. Unlike dentures and bridges, a dental implant is designed to be a permanent device. Dental implants may be a single tooth, a bridge of several teeth, or a full set of dentures. While there are many advantages to having dental implants, there are also risks involved with the implantation procedure.
Nerve damage can occur during the placement of the dental implant screws. The inferior alveolar nerve runs along the jawbone and can be traumatized or damaged by the placement of the implant screws. Serious injury can occur if the nerve is damaged. Symptoms of inferior alveolar nerve damage include
- Numbness of lower lip and chin
- Tingling or burning sensation on lower lip and chin
- Loss of taste
- Altered sense of taste
- Impaired speech
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of dental negligence, you may have an Indiana dental malpractice claim. Our experienced Indianapolis medical and dental malpractice attorneys are available to consult with you regarding your rights and options. We do not charge for your initial consultation and do not collect fees until you are compensated for your claim. Contact us now to discuss your claim. Read more about our dental malpractice practice here.
