Dental Malpractice Information from our Attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona

When discussing types of medical malpractice and negligence, most people think of doctors, nurses, and medical staff in hospitals and nursing homes. However, dental malpractice is commonly reported to our attorneys in Phoenix. Every year, countless Arizona patients receive negligent dental work that results in permanent injury and tooth loss.

Dental Malpractice Defined

Dental malpractice is simply defined as medical malpractice that occurs while under the care of a dentist, orthodontist, endodontist, or other dental professional. Dental malpractice may be either intentional or unintentional. An example of voluntary dental malpractice would be if a dentist knowingly harms or molests a patient while he or she is under sedation. Involuntary dental malpractice is far more common, consisting of errors made during diagnosis and treatment. An attorney’s help may be needed to determine what kind of malpractice has occurred in your situation.

Injuries Resulting from Dental Mistakes and Negligence

The mouth, teeth, and jaw are all very sensitive and complex body parts, requiring that any dental treatments be performed by a careful, experienced dentist. If a dental professional attempts a treatment for which he is not qualified, the result can be permanent, debilitating injury to the patient. Some of the more common injuries resulting from dental malpractice include:

• Injuries to the delicate nerves in the jaw, chin, tongue, and lips, causing numbness or loss of tasting ability
• Injury to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) resulting in stiffness and pain
• Infections or tooth damage from improperly fitted crowns, veneers, or bridges

Dental malpractice does not always have to result from action taken by the dentist. In some cases, the lack of action, or negligence, by a dentist is grounds for a dental malpractice lawsuit. Our attorneys, serving Phoenix and Arizona, can also seek compensation when a dentist exhibits a delay in diagnosis or a failure to diagnose conditions such as oral cancer or periodontal disease. This kind of delay may result in tooth loss, impaired immune response, or even death.

Dental Malpractice and Wrongful Death

Wrongful death as a result of dental malpractice is uncommon, but when it happens, surviving family members are especially deserving of closure and compensation for funeral arrangements, emotional pain, and loss of income. Generally, dental malpractice-related wrongful death is caused by surgical complications. Anesthesiologists who administer the incorrect amount or type of anesthesia can cause a patient’s death. Complications after oral surgery may result in fatal internal bleeding or undiagnosed infections. In each case, the dental malpractice attorneys of Phillips & Associates will carefully investigate the dentists involved, whether they practice in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona. Our lawyers are highly trained with the expertise to seek out and compile all the information necessary to file a successful lawsuit.

Whether dental malpractice has affected your family’s life through permanent injury or even death, we can help you to determine whether a lawsuit would result in compensation or punitive damages. Contact our dental malpractice attorneys today, serving the communities of Phoenix and elsewhere in Arizona.

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