Compensation for negligent dental implants.
If you have had a failed implant procedure, it could have been caused by negligence if you have experienced any of the following issues.
Have you experienced a dental implant failure?
The installation of dental implants is a serious and potentially complicated procedure. There are many things that can go wrong before, during, and after the process.
Implants are often the treatment of choice to replace the loss of a tooth, but they are an expensive option, sometimes costing more than £2,500 (plus future maintenance costs). If you have had a failed implant procedure, it could have been caused by negligence. if you have experienced any of the following issues you may want to contact the Dental Negligence Team.
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Gum disease not treated properly.
It is very important that your dentist treats any periodontal (gum) disease prior to placing an implant. If a dentist fails to do so, this can cause peri-implantitis. This is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the surrounding gum and bone of the implant, which can lead to loss of the surrounding bone and the eventual loss of the implant.
If you suffer from periodontal disease, even if this is now under control, your dentist should ensure that there is sufficient bone to hold your implant in place. If not, you may notice your implant does not feel secure, and may even fall out. Your dentist should check this by taking a Cone-Beam CT scan, which is very important in assessing the potential longevity of an implant.
If you have suffered consequences resulting from either of the above situations, you should contact us to discuss this further.
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Nerve damage
Nerve damage is a recognised risk of having implants fitted. This means that it will not constitute dental negligence if your dentist has fully informed you of this risk, i.e. obtained your “informed consent”. But were you informed?
Informed consent is a principle by which a dentist must describe all available treatment options (including the cost of each treatment option), and explain the risks and benefits associated with each of them.
If a dentist fails to advise their patient of a particular risk and discuss it, a patient may have a claim for dental negligence if that risk becomes a reality.
To give an example, let’s say a patient wants to have an implant and implant retained crown placed, so attends their dentist. Prior to placing the implant, the dentist fails to advise the patient that they may suffer nerve damage as a result of the treatment. After the implant has been fitted, the patient finds that they have been left with nerve damage. The patient may have a claim for dental negligence in this circumstance, if they can prove that they would not have gone ahead with the procedure had they been aware of this risk.
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Implants should never have been an option
A second opinion from another dentist suggested that implants were never a suitable option. Is this negligent dentistry?
For a variety of reasons, some patients are simply unsuitable for implant treatment, and in this circumstance dentists should not attempt to place them.
If you have been advised that your implant should have never been placed, please contact us to discuss this further.
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Implant failure
Dental implants are a complicated area of dentistry and therefore not without their problems. In addition to the above, an implant may fail if it was not fitted correctly.
We often see cases in which an implant was placed too close to the neighbouring tooth, meaning it required removal and replacement with a new implant. This can be particularly frustrating considering implants are generally not available on the NHS, which means that patients can be left with significant dentistry bills through no fault of their own.
If you have been advised that your implant was placed incorrectly, you should contact us to discuss this further.
- No-win no-fee legal funding.
- Compensation for pain and suffering.
- Payment for future treatment costs.
- SRA regulated & quality assured.
Speak to the team to understand more about you potential compensation claim for dental negligence. You can call us or simply drop us a message and we will get back to you.
Call the team
Success stories
Read about some of our biggest successful claims for dental negligence.
Dental negligence can have a long last effect on your health, confidence, and well-being. When we work for you we make sure you not only get the compensation you need to recover costs and pay for any future care, but also get the answers you deserve.
Read about about our different many success stories and see for yourself how we have helped many people just like you to get compensation for negligent dental care.
How much compensation might you receive? How is it calculated?
Any compensation you receive will vary depending on what injury you sustain. For example, if you require an extraction of one of your teeth resulting from substandard crown or bridgework, you will receive more compensation than if you suffer a period of pain as a result of negligence.
Compensation received following a successful claim for dental negligence will be comprised of:
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an award for pain and suffering
this will compensate you for any pain you have endured, and also things like inconvenience, social effects (such as embarrassment) and any changes in your eating or sleeping habits.
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an award for future treatment costs
for example, if you require an implant and an implant retained crown, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a result of a psychiatric injury sustained due to negligence. We will also take into account the future maintenance costs for any treatment you may require, including future specialist appointments.
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past loss
this may include past prescription costs, travel or dental treatment. For instance, if you had to repeatedly to travel to a specialist appointment as a result of dental negligence, the cost of this will likely be recoverable.
How long will it take to make a claim?
As a general rule, dental negligence cases would usually conclude between 18-24 months from the first time you contact us. However, each case is different, and this may vary depending on the complexity and specific facts. The important thing is that you speak to us as soon as possible so we can begin investigating your claim.
Can you sue a retired dentist?
You can sue a retired dentist, as long as your claim is not statute barred. By law, all dentists must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), and must have appropriate indemnity and insurance arrangements in place; this allows patients to seek any compensation they may be entitled to.
Therefore, even after a dentist retires they will still be responsible for the treatment which was carried out when they were practising as a dentist.
How long do you have to make a claim?
You have three years to bring a claim of dental negligence, from the date of negligence or knowledge of it, under the laws concerning ‘limitation’ in England and Wales. These laws state that a Claimant must issue court proceedings within this time period, or else their claim would be statute barred.
Generally, we would advise you to contact us at least 6 months before the limitation period in your case is due to end. However, this can be reviewed on a case by case basis; if you believe that your limitation period may expire soon, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.
Speak to the team to understand more about you potential compensation claim for dental negligence. You can call us or simply drop us a message and we will get back to you.
Call the team
You can call the team on 0800 923 2080 or message them to understand more about you potential compensation claim for dental negligence. We will get back to you at a time that is convenient to you.
