Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
Injusry from dentist
I had my wisdom tooth pulled out about a month and a half ago. I went back to the dentist today because I can't eat and can barely talk because it hurts so much. When I had the initial x-ray and the dentist told me that he needed to pull it out I told him that a previous dentist told me that I needed an oral surgeon to pull it out because it was right next to my jaw bone and my nerves. He told me that he would be able to pull it out. On todays visit he told me that a piece of my jaw bone broke off and is almost through my gums and is now severlly infected.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Injusry from dentist
FIRST, get competent dental care from someone else who is an expert, to determine and correct the problem. THEN consider a malpractice claim,which needs to be filed within one year of the removal, if that new dentist/surgeon indicates it was negligence or poor dental practice or malpractice. It sounds like it is. Feel free to contact me to discuss the issues and process you need to be doing.
Re: Injury from dentist
Removal of impacted or nerve impinged wisdom teeth is a complicated procedure that can sometimes require oral surgeons rather than a general dentist. You need to seek care from an oral surgeon immediately for an opinion on your current status and treatment of the broken jaw which may require grafting. If you have ANY nerve injury (numbness, loss of taste, etc.) you need an immediate referral to one of very few specialists in the state who handle such issues and the sooner the better.
Get the infection and broken jaw seen by an oral surgeon immediately. Get copies of your x-rays from before the extractions if possible and take those with you. Ask the next provider if your dentist should have referred you to an oral surgeon for the extractions. You have up to one year from the date you first became aware of the infection/broken jaw to file a claim for malpractice, if necessary. Take care of your medical situation first.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me as our firm has extensive experience in dental malpractice issues.
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