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This article was published on May 27th, 2021
Often our smile is one of the first things other people see when they meet us, however, sometimes a tooth extraction is required to ensure the overall oral health is maintained.
If something happens to our smile it can affect an individual in many ways, including a loss of self-confidence for the individual and in some cases conditions in the mouth can be extremely painful.
Although the majority of tooth extractions go according to plan without any complications, problems can arise from time to time.
During an extraction, teeth can fracture and if this happens then the treatment should stop immediately until an x-ray has been carried out on the remaining roots.
Should the dentist carry on working after a tooth is fractured, or they are not skilled or experienced enough to deal with a fractured tooth, a case for dental negligence could possibly be brought.
Even if a tooth is carried out without fracturing any teeth, it can still be painful. However, if you have suffered nerve damage that is causing additional pain, you may also have grounds for a dental negligence claim.
Another potential claim for dental negligence can arise when the wrong tooth is extracted, unfortunately, this can happen occasionally and if it has happened to you, you should contact one of our specialist dental negligence solicitors as soon as possible.
To help you better understand what tooth extraction is and what is involved in the process, we’ve put together a few points you should know below.
Tooth extraction is when a permanent tooth is removed from its socket in the jawbone.
There are several reasons that a tooth or teeth may need to be extracted. If you have reached a certain level of tooth decay extraction may be needed to prevent further damage to other teeth and other areas of the mouth.
Periodontal disease otherwise known as gum disease can also cause teeth to become loose and if too much damage has been done by the disease, some teeth may need extracting.
Wisdom teeth are also a common reason that teeth may need to be extracted.
There are a few precautions that you can take that can help reduce the need for tooth extraction.
Ensuring you have regular check-ups with your dentist is essential as they can monitor the health of your teeth gums and mouth and take action as should there be an issue.
You should also ensure that you brush your teeth regularly as well as trying to stay away from sugary food and drink as this can cause rapid tooth decay and lead to more issues in later life.
No teeth should be extracted unless the dental practitioner has carried out a thorough oral examination first. This initial oral examination should include an x-ray in order to fully assess whether an extraction is needed.
Often an extraction is carried out under local anaesthetic, this should nullify the pain and numb your mouth whilst the procedure is carried out.
However, sometimes more serious extractions will require a procedure called surgical extraction. This will mean that the dental practitioner will have to cut away a section of the gum before the tooth can be removed.
Whenever you visit the dentist you should expect to receive a high level of care no matter what treatment the dental practitioner administers.
However, this isn’t always the case and if you have received unsatisfactory dental care you may be able to claim compensation.
Our specialist dental negligence team have dealt with a wide range of dental negligence cases, placing them in the perfect position to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Our team works on a no win-no fee basis and they have consistently achieved excellent results for clients across the North West.
If you would like to discuss the potential of your dental negligence claim, call us for free today on 0800 1979 345 and or request a callback by completing our online enquiry form.