Inferior alveolar nerve damage is a serious condition that can occur as a result of dental procedures. If you have experienced this type of injury, you may be wondering what options are available to you for treatment and compensation.
- Understanding the Inferior Alveolar Nerve and Its Function
- Common Causes of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Damage Due to Dental Negligence
- Signs and Symptoms of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury
- How a Dental Malpractice Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation
- Frequently Asked Questions about Lingual Nerve Injuries Caused By Malpractice
- Get Help Today
Lisa Levine is a Fort Lauderdale inferior alveolar nerve damage lawyer who understands the physical and emotional toll that this type of injury can take on your life. She is here to help guide you through the process of seeking justice and obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Understanding the Inferior Alveolar Nerve and Its Function
The inferior alveolar nerve runs through the lower jaw bone and is an important sensory nerve that supplies sensation to the lower teeth, lip, and chin.
The inferior alveolar nerve does two key things in your mouth and jaw:
- Feeling: It lets you sense what’s happening in your lower teeth so you can tell if something’s hot, cold, or if you’ve bitten into something hard. It also helps you feel your chin and lower lip. This is important for talking and eating because you can tell where your lip is and what you’re doing with it.
- Movement: Besides feeling things, the nerve also helps control the movements of your mouth and jaw. This is what lets you talk, chew your food, etc.
Because of its location, the inferior alveolar nerve is at risk of damage during certain dental procedures such as tooth extractions, implant placements, or jaw surgeries. Any injury to this nerve can have significant consequences and potentially lead to long-term complications.
Common Causes of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Damage Due to Dental Negligence
When it comes to inferior alveolar nerve damage due to dental negligence, there are several common causes that can lead to this unfortunate outcome. It is important to be aware of these causes and understand how they can impact your case if you have experienced such an injury.
- Surgical Procedures: Dental surgeries, especially those involving the removal of wisdom teeth (third molars) or dental implants, pose a risk of damaging the inferior alveolar nerve. Accidental contact or trauma during these procedures can harm the nerve.
- Dental Injections: While injecting anesthesia or other medications, dentists must be precise in needle placement to avoid nerve damage. Injecting directly into or too close to the nerve can result in injury.
- Implant Placement: When placing dental implants in the jawbone, dentists need to avoid damaging nearby nerves, including the inferior alveolar nerve. Careful planning and precise implant placement are essential to prevent nerve injuries.
- Root Canal Procedures: During root canal treatments, dentists work in close proximity to nerve-rich dental pulp. In rare instances, accidental damage to the inferior alveolar nerve can occur during these procedures.
- Orthodontic Treatment: Some orthodontic procedures, such as corrective jaw surgery or the use of braces, may involve adjustments to the jaw or teeth. These adjustments can inadvertently affect the nerve if not performed with precision.
- Infection or Inflammation: Dental infections or inflammation in the jaw can put pressure on the inferior alveolar nerve, leading to pain or discomfort. Dentists may need to address these issues to relieve nerve-related symptoms.
If you’ve experienced an injury to the inferior alveolar nerve, it’s important to speak to a Fort Lauderdale inferior alveolar nerve damage lawyer as soon as possible.
Signs and Symptoms of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury
Inferior alveolar nerve injury can cause a range of signs and symptoms that may vary in severity. Some common indications of nerve damage include:
- Numbness or Tingling: If you experience persistent numbness or tingling in your lower lip, chin, or tongue following a dental procedure, it could be a sign of inferior alveolar nerve injury.
- Altered Sensation: You might notice changes in sensation, such as a loss of feeling or abnormal sensations like burning or itching in the affected areas.
- Difficulty Speaking or Eating: Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve can affect the muscles responsible for speech and chewing. If you find it challenging to speak clearly or experience difficulty while eating, it could be a result of nerve damage.
- Pain or Discomfort: Inferior alveolar nerve injury may cause chronic pain or discomfort in the lower jaw, teeth, or surrounding areas.
- Facial Asymmetry: In some cases, nerve damage can lead to facial asymmetry, where one side of the face appears different from the other.
The symptoms may last for a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the nerve damage. In more severe cases where there is significant nerve compression or damage, the symptoms may be chronic and long-lasting.
How a Dental Malpractice Attorney Can Help You Recover Compensation for Inferior Alveolar Nerve Damage
Like all healthcare professionals, dentists are required to provide their patients with an acceptable standard of care that meets all state regulations and professional standards. There’s no reason why dentists who make mistakes due to incompetence, negligence or intentional misconduct should not be held accountable for their actions.
Dental Malpractice Victim
Patients who suffer lingual inferior alveolar nerve damage or other injuries as a result of dental malpractice have the right to pursue all available legal options, including filing a dental malpractice lawsuit. An experienced Fort Lauderdale inferior alveolar nerve damage lawyer can help by providing guidance and support throughout the legal process, including:
- Gathering all relevant medical records and evidence related to your nerve damage. This includes X-rays, treatment plans, and any other documentation that can prove negligence on the part of the dentist.
- Consulting with medical experts who specialize in dental malpractice cases. These experts can provide valuable insight into the standard of care expected from a dentist in similar situations and whether your case falls within the realm of malpractice.
- Negotiating with the insurance companies and the dentist’s legal team to secure a fair settlement for your injuries.
- If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. Having an experienced lawyer by your side can greatly increase your chances of success in court.
You should know that dentists and their insurance companies rarely settle out of court. There’s no incentive for them to do so. The insurance companies know that litigation of this type is a costly, time-consuming process and that most people don’t have the resources to mount a prolonged legal battle.
In a situation like this, contacting a skilled Broward County dental malpractice attorney like Lisa Levine is the smartest move you can make. Lisa accepts her cases on a contingency basis, which means she doesn’t get paid unless you win. She has the skills and expertise to handle your case every step of the way. You can count on Lisa to effectively and aggressively pursue your case to ensure you get the settlement you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lingual Nerve Injuries
What Type of Attorney Do I Need for My Fort Lauderdale Inferior Alveolar Nerve Damage Case?
If you’ve suffered an inferior alveolar nerve injury due to the negligence of a dental healthcare professional, choosing the right attorney is key to a successful dental malpractice claim. It’s important to find a legal representative who has extensive experience in successfully handling dental negligence cases.
Read more about choosing the right attorney for your malpractice case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Malpractice Lawsuit in Florida for Lingual Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries?
Every state has its own statute of limitations laws that govern how long you have to file a dental malpractice lawsuit. In Florida, patients with inferior alveolar nerve injuries usually have only 2 years in which to file a malpractice lawsuit.
Learn more about the Florida’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims.
How Much Is My Lingual Nerve Injury Case Worth?
All dental malpractice cases are unique, so unfortunately there is no quick and easy answer to determining the value of a case. Some factors that can affect how much compensation you may be able to recover include:
– The severity of your injuries
– The amount of your medical bills
– Whether or not there is permanency of injuries.
Get Legal Help After Fort Lauderdale Inferior Alveolar Nerve Damage
If you or a loved one is the victim of nerve damage due to the negligence of a dentist or dental surgeon you need to get in touch with Weston inferior alveolar injury attorney Lisa Levine immediately. A skilled malpractice lawyer who represents the victims of negligence on the part of dental health professionals, Lisa will fight to see that you get the justice you deserve.
Call Lisa S. Levine P.A. at 954-256-1820 today to schedule a free consultation. Lisa Levine represents people all over the Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County area, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Miramar, and Jupiter.
