Help from a Florida Tooth Extraction Lawyer

Suffering an injury to the inferior alveolar nerve during a tooth extraction procedure is among the most serious types of injuries that patients might suffer. This type of injury may have severe and negative impacts on the ability of the patient to enjoy life and may lead to substantial economic and noneconomic losses. Dentists are expected to provide treatment that meets the accepted standard of care for dentists in Florida. When a dentist is negligent and provides treatment that falls below the standard of care, causing a permanent nerve injury to a patient, the dentist may be subject to disciplinary action from the Florida Board of Dentistry and may be sued for Florida dental malpractice. A Florida tooth extraction lawyer at Lane & Glassman might help you to hold the dentist who injured you liable to pay damages to compensate you for your losses.

What is the inferior alveolar nerve?

The inferior alveolar nerve is a nerve that supplies sensation to the lower teeth. Through the mental nerve, it also supplies sensation to the lower lip and the chin. This nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve that is important for the functioning of your mouth and face.

Injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve during tooth extractions

Injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve most frequently occur during oral and maxillofacial procedures, including the extraction of wisdom teeth. When a dentist is negligent and injures the inferior alveolar nerve during a tooth extraction procedure, it can lead to the following problems:

• Pain
• Numbness on the side of the injury
• Altered sensation
• Psychological impacts
• Difficulty with talking normally
• Difficulty of eating normally
• Tingling, tickling or burning sensation called paraesthesia

Nerve damage is classified into three types, depending on the severity of the injury. The three types of inferior alveolar nerve injuries include neurapraxia, axonotmesis, and neurotmesis. Of these three, neurotmesis is the most severe type with the poorest prognosis for recovery.

When a dentist suspects that your inferior alveolar nerve was injured during a wisdom tooth extraction, he or she promptly refer you to an oral maxillofacial surgeon. People may have better outcomes when they are promptly referred than if the dentist fails to act.

Legal remedies from a Florida tooth extraction lawyer

When a dentist violates the standard of care and causes serious injuries to you by damaging your inferior alveolar nerve during tooth extraction, you can file a complaint with the Florida Board of Dentistry under FLA. STAT. § 466.028(x). Filing a complaint may result in disciplinary action against the dentist, up to and including the loss of the license to practice dental medicine. Florida law also provides a legal remedy to the victims of Florida dental malpractice under FLA. STAT. § 766.102. Filing a dental malpractice lawsuit might allow you to recover damages for your losses, including the following types:

• Your past and future injury-related medical and dental expenses
• Your past income losses
• Future reduction in your ability to earn an income
• Disfigurement
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental trauma
• Other losses

Hiring a Florida tooth extraction lawyer

An experienced Florida tooth extraction lawyer at Lane & Glassman can evaluate your claim and advise you about whether you have valid grounds to file a claim. Your attorney can also explain the types of damages that might be available in your case. Dr. Stanley W. Lane, DDS, JD, has more than 30 years of experience handling dental malpractice cases and is an oral maxillofacial surgeon, dentist, and attorney. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation by calling 800.343.0244 or by emailing us at info@LaneGlassman.com.