Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. has specialized in dental malpractice law for more then 25 years. Our office has an impressive history of successful outcomes, having assisted victims of all sorts of dental malpractice in recovering meaningful compensation. If you have suffered personal injury due to a dentist’s negligence, we are here to help. Contact us for a free initial consultation. Because we know that you have financial as well and physical and emotional losses, we will charge you no attorney’s fees until we recover damages.
Common Types of General Dental Malpractice
General dentists are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of dental conditions. Though most dentists are careful, dependable practitioners, instances of negligence, sometimes amounting to dental malpractice, are not all that rare. General dental malpractice may include:
Failure to take or adhere to a medical history can result in ignorance of pre-existing health conditions or allergies that can be catastrophic.
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can leave cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer unchecked, leading to worsening, possibly life-threatening complications.
Surgical errors during routine dental procedures such as tooth extractions or root canals can result in nerve damage, infections, or other problems.
Medication errors in regard to dosage or administration can result in dangerous side effects or drug interactions.
Failure to obtain informed consent can result in legal liability, denying the patient’s right to be aware of risks, benefits, and alternatives to proposed treatments or procedures.
Negligent referrals or failure to refer to a specialist can result in harmful complications.
Negligent follow-up care can result in developing or worsening of infections, tooth movement, gum disease, etc.
Each of these forms of malpractice can result in significant harm to patients and may warrant a lawsuit to recover compensatory damages.
Common Lawsuits for Specialists
Dental specialists, including dental surgeons, endodontists, pediatric dentists, periodontists, and prosthodontists, are held to high standards of care within their respective areas of expertise. Here are examples of malpractice issues that may arise in each specialty:
Dental surgeons perform complex oral surgeries, such as wisdom tooth extraction, dental implant placement, and corrective jaw surgery. Malpractice may occur due to anesthesia or surgical errors, nerve damage, or failure to properly monitor patients during and after surgery.
Endodontists focus on treating diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and roots of teeth. Malpractice may include failure to properly perform root canal therapy, leaving behind infected tissue or instruments, or failure to diagnose or treat complications such as root fractures or infections.
Pediatric dentists specialize in providing dental care to children and adolescents.
Malpractice may involve failure to diagnose or treat cavities as well as failure to properly manage behavior or sedation during dental procedures.
Periodontists specialize in diagnosing and treating gum disease and other conditions affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Malpractice may include failure to diagnose or properly treat gum disease, improper gum surgery, or failure to monitor and manage complications such as infection or tissue damage.
Prosthodontists specialize in restoring and replacing missing teeth and oral structures with prosthetic devices such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Malpractice may involve errors in treatment planning, improper fitting or placement of prosthetic devices, or failure to properly educate patients on oral hygiene and maintenance of prosthetic restorations.
Contact Our Experienced New York Dental Malpractice Attorney Today
If you’ve been a victim of dental malpractice due to the negligence of your own general dentist or a dental specialist, don’t wait to seek legal guidance from a qualified attorney like Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. Not only is there a statute of limitations on making a legal claim, but evidence will be considerably easier to gather the sooner we start investigating your case. Contact us now to give Lance the best possible chance of recovering maximum damages for you and your family.