Types of Claims

Have you lost teeth or fear losing them due to gum disease, despite regular dental visits? We investigate cases where early diagnosis and referral could have prevented such outcomes.

Gum/periodontal disease can typically be treated successfully if caught early. However, when a dentist fails to recognise and address the signs of the disease it can lead to serious complications for patients. Dentists are responsible for diagnosing gum disease and recommending the right course of action. If you have attended appointments regularly and your dentist hasn’t caught your gum disease, you might have a case for dental negligence compensation.

Untreated gum/periodontal disease can cause tooth loss, severe health complications, and irreversible gum damage. Patients can sometimes face lasting health problems due to a dentist’s failure to diagnose gum disease or periodontitis earlier on.

Untreated gum disease can lead to:

• Permanent damage to the jaw or gums
• Receding gums
• Loose or unstable teeth
• Tooth loss
• Chronic pain or discomfort
• Gum infections

If you believe your dentist did not provide a reasonable standard of care and you were injured because of this, you could be entitled to compensation.

Tooth decay often goes unnoticed until it’s too late, leading to painful complications such as root canal treatments or worse, extractions. With our specialist knowledge, we aim to help clients secure compensation for their injuries and the cost of any corrective treatments.

Tooth decay is a progressive condition caused by acids and bacteria that weaken the tooth structure, damaging the enamel and dentine. Proper oral hygiene, including fluoride toothpaste, can help counteract the damage and stop decay before it requires treatment. If decay progresses beyond the enamel into the dentine, intervention is needed to prevent further damage.

Routine dental exams are crucial for maintaining oral health. Dentists should inspect the mouth, gums, and teeth for any signs of decay, while also evaluating jaw joints and the neck for abnormalities. If you’ve experienced tooth pain or sensitivity, your dentist should investigate thoroughly, using x-rays or other tests to pinpoint the cause and suggest appropriate treatment.

Common negligence claims arise from ignoring reported symptoms, failing to investigate pain, not taking x-rays, and failing to remove decay or apply appropriate fillings. If you believe your dentist has been negligent, our team can help you pursue a claim.

Tooth extractions are common dental procedures, but sometimes things can go wrong. For example, if a tooth breaks during an extraction, your dentist should take an X-ray to check the remaining roots. If the dentist continues without the necessary skills or experience, you may have a case for dental negligence.

During an extraction nerves can also be damaged, which could indicate that proper care wasn’t taken. In rare cases, a dentist might even extract the wrong tooth, which could also be grounds for a compensation claim.
Other issues that might arise during tooth extractions include:

• Leaving behind parts of the tooth or roots, which can cause future problems
• Damaging nerves during the procedure
• Not fully removing the tooth
• Extracting the wrong tooth

These problems don’t always mean the dentist was at fault. However, if you believe a mistake during a procedure has caused you pain or led to more treatment, you might be entitled to seek compensation.

Root canal treatment may be necessary when the nerve inside your tooth is badly damaged or dead, often due to trauma, infection, or decay. This can lead to pain, sensitivity, and even an abscess. Early treatment of tooth decay and gum disease can help prevent this irreversible nerve damage, reducing the need for a root canal. While antibiotics might provide temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause. A root canal is essential to stop the damage from progressing.

Root canal treatment involves carefully removing the damaged or infected nerve tissue, cleaning the canals, and sealing them with a filling to prevent further infection. The goal is to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection while preserving your natural tooth. This delicate process requires precise measurement and isolation to ensure the treated area remains free from saliva and bacteria.

While a root canal might be uncomfortable, it’s usually not painful and can save your tooth from needing to be removed.

Common reasons for claims include delays or errors in diagnosing the need for treatment, incomplete cleaning of root canals, not properly assessing the length of the canal, and inadequate root fillings.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of negligence following a root canal, our expert team is here to provide a thorough evaluation and help you explore your options.

If you’ve experienced a dental implant failure, it can significantly impact your well-being, potentially causing pain, infection, and the possibility that the implant cannot be repaired or replaced. Even when replacement is an option, the associated costs can be substantial. While dental implants boast a success rate of around 95% over 10 years, it’s crucial that they are only performed on suitable candidates to maximise the chances of success. Nonetheless, complications can occur, and our dedicated team of specialists can assess whether your implants have failed due to negligence.

When evaluating the primary causes of dental implant failure, it’s important to consider several factors and criteria that your dentist should assess prior to the procedure, all of which influence the likelihood of success. These factors include:

• The amount and condition of the bone where the implant will be placed
• The patient’s overall oral health and any pre-existing conditions
• The patient’s smoking status

If a dentist determines that a patient is a suitable candidate for dental implants and the procedure is performed, other potential causes of failure may include:

• Poor dental hygiene, which can lead to bone deterioration
• The manner in which the treatment was executed and any potential errors during the process

If you’ve had dental implants and are concerned about potential failure but aren’t sure what to watch for, here are some common signs:

• Pain: If you experience pain when biting or chewing, it could indicate an issue with the implant.
• Inflamed Gums: While minor swelling is normal after the procedure, inflammation that persists beyond a few days might signal an infection, which could jeopardise the implant.
• Loose Implants: If your implant starts to feel loose or unstable, it’s important to seek immediate attention.

If you believe that your implants have failed as a result of your dentist incorrectly assessing you as suitable for implants, contact us today to find out whether you could be entitled to compensation.

Cosmetic dentistry covers a wide range of treatments. Some procedures are more complex than others, and the results can last for different amounts of time. It’s really important to know exactly what treatment you’re getting and how long you can expect it to last.

What Can Go Wrong with Cosmetic Dentistry? Because cosmetic dentistry includes so many different treatments, things can sometimes go wrong.

Here are some common problems:

• Crowns that don’t fit properly, making it hard to clean your teeth and causing food to get stuck, which can lead to gum disease and other issues
• Veneers that don’t fit well, causing discomfort, or even falling off
• Bridges that don’t sit right, trapping food, breaking, or falling out, especially if the supporting teeth are weak or damaged
• Unnecessary orthodontic work, which can harm your teeth and cost you money for no good reason

Further examples of cosmetic dentistry include:

Cosmetic Bonding – More commonly known as composite bonding, this procedure involves applying a resin that matches the color of your teeth to repair small chips or smooth out uneven edges. It’s a fast way to enhance the appearance of your teeth. However, if the treatment is performed poorly, problems can arise, and you might be eligible to pursue a claim.

Smile Makeover – A smile makeover combines several cosmetic dental procedures to improve the overall look of your teeth and smile. If mistakes are made during the process, however, it can lead to long-term dental issues that may require further treatment.

Gum Contouring – Gum contouring reshapes the gumline to give you a more aesthetically pleasing smile. However, this procedure isn’t suitable for everyone, so your dentist should carefully assess whether you are a good candidate. If the treatment is not appropriate or poorly done, it could result in avoidable complications.

Braces – Braces are not just for children—many adults opt for braces to straighten their teeth or improve their smile. However, if braces are applied incorrectly, they can cause more damage than good, leading to discomfort, misalignment, or permanent dental issues.

Dental Veneers – Dental veneers are thin layers placed over the front of your teeth to enhance their appearance. While veneers can offer a dramatic improvement, the procedure is very often costly. If the veneers are not applied correctly, they can lead to various future problems, from discomfort to more serious dental health issues.

Having any form of cosmetic dentistry go wrong can be extremely distressing. If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies as dental negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to listen and provide guidance.