Lingual nerve injuries can cause lasting complications. If you’ve experienced tongue numbness, pain, or taste loss after a dental procedure in New York City, you may be facing more than just discomfort—you may be dealing with a form of dental malpractice. At Dental & Podiatry Malpractice Lawyers of New York, we focus solely on dental and podiatric negligence. If you believe your lingual nerve injury stems from poor care, contact our firm for a free consultation today.
What Is the Lingual Nerve?
The lingual nerve is a small nerve inside your mouth that helps you feel things in the front part of your tongue and the bottom of your mouth. It enables you to taste food, feel hot and cold, and move your mouth correctly.
This nerve sits close to your wisdom teeth, and it can be easily hurt during dental work. Even a minor injury to the lingual nerve can make eating, talking, or feeling things in your mouth difficult.
Symptoms of Lingual Nerve Injury
Lingual nerve injuries are often apparent, but patients might not immediately connect their symptoms to their dental work. Common signs include:
- Numbness on one or both sides of the tongue
- Tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation
- Loss or alteration of taste
- Burning or electric-shock-like pain
- Slurred speech or trouble speaking
- Drooling or biting the tongue while eating
- Difficulty swallowing
These symptoms may be temporary if the nerve is only bruised. However, in cases of more significant trauma, symptoms can last months or become permanent.
Dental Procedures That Can Damage the Lingual Nerve
Specific procedures carry a higher risk of damaging the lingual nerve. The procedures that most commonly result in lingual nerve injury include:
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Lower third molars sit near the lingual nerve. Poor technique or excess pressure can cause laceration, bruising, or stretching.
Dental Implant Placement
Implants placed too close to the nerve or without imaging can cause injury. Some patients feel instant shock-like pain. Others notice symptoms later.
Root Canal Therapy
Using tools too deeply in the lower jaw can hurt nearby nerves. Sealing materials can press on or irritate the lingual nerve if they leak.
Local Anesthesia Injections
Numbing shots in the lower jaw can sometimes hurt the lingual nerve. If the needle is placed wrong or the shot is too forceful, it may cause damage.
These routine procedures can have serious consequences when performed without proper care, making lingual nerve injury an avoidable but life-altering complication.
Is Lingual Nerve Damage Dental Malpractice?
Lingual nerve injury becomes malpractice when it results from substandard care. Before performing any procedure, dentists must follow protocols, use proper imaging, and explain risks.
To bring a successful dental malpractice claim in New York, four elements must be proven:
- Duty – The dentist had a professional obligation to treat you safely.
- Breach – The dentist failed to meet the accepted standard of care.
- Causation – That breach directly caused your lingual nerve injury.
- Damages – You experienced losses, whether physical, emotional, or financial.
Not every injury qualifies as malpractice. However, if your dentist failed to take reasonable precautions, did not warn you of the risks, or performed a procedure poorly, a claim may be possible.
Legal Timelines in New York
In New York, the statute of limitations for dental malpractice is two years and six months. This period generally begins on the date the malpractice occurred. However, if you continue treatment with the same provider for the same issue, the clock may not start until that treatment ends. Speaking with an experienced attorney is essential when you suspect something is wrong.
Steps to Take if You Suspect a Lingual Nerve Injury
Time matters in these cases. If you believe you’ve suffered a lingual nerve injury due to a dental error, take the following steps:
- See a specialist: A neurologist, oral surgeon, or ENT can assess the damage.
- Request your records: Ask for imaging, consent forms, procedure notes, and treatment plans.
- Track your symptoms: Write down your daily experience, including how symptoms affect your eating, speaking, and mood.
- Avoid additional procedures: Don’t allow the same dentist to attempt a fix without first getting legal guidance.
- Call a qualified malpractice lawyer: Dental & Podiatry Malpractice Lawyers of New York can evaluate your case and discuss the next steps.
Acting quickly can protect your health and legal rights, especially when nerve damage may be permanent.
Treatment Options for Lingual Nerve Damage
Not every injury can be repaired. Some patients recover gradually with no treatment, while others require medical intervention.
Treatment options include:
- Medications: Anti-inflammatories, steroids, or nerve pain medications like gabapentin.
- Physical therapy: Exercises to help retrain the tongue and jaw muscles.
- Surgical repair: If the nerve is cut or severely damaged, microsurgery may reconnect it.
- Coping therapy: Psychological support or treatment for those dealing with permanent symptoms.
If you’ve lost function or quality of life due to a preventable nerve injury, that damage could form the basis of your malpractice claim.
Potential Damages in a Lingual Nerve Malpractice Case
Lingual nerve injuries can lead to substantial financial and personal losses. A successful malpractice claim may provide compensation for:
- Past and future medical treatment
- Lost income or reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Work with Dental & Podiatry Malpractice Lawyers of New York?
We are one of the only firms in the state focused solely on dental and podiatric malpractice. We understand the complexities of oral nerve injuries and know how to prove them in court. General personal injury firms often overlook lingual nerve cases, but we’ve built our reputation on handling them. With decades of experience in this niche, we’re equipped to help clients throughout New York City and the state pursue justice for avoidable, life-altering mistakes.
Call for a Free Consultation
Lingual nerve damage can disrupt speech, eating, and the sense of self. If your lingual nerve injury occurred during a dental procedure, don’t wait to speak with someone who understands your situation. Dental & Podiatry Malpractice Lawyers of New York offers free consultations to evaluate your potential case. Reach out today to learn your legal options.