Most Common
Dental Malpractice Cases
1.
Failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis
- Not diagnosing decay, periodontal disease, infection or abscess
- Missing oral cancer or suspicious lesions
- Missing fractures and other conditions visible on X-rays or CBCT
2.
Dental implant errors
- Implant placed damaging the nerve
- Implant damage adjacent teeth
3.
Nerve injuries
- Inferior alveolar or lingual nerve damage
- Permanent numbness, altered sensation or burning pain
- Failure to obtain appropriate imaging or refer promptly after an injury
4.
Extraction mistakes
- Extracting the wrong tooth
- Damaging adjacent teeth
- Excessive bone or nerve damage
- Leaving fragments without appropriate management or communication
- Failure to manage bleeding, infection or an oral-sinus communication
5.
Root-canal errors
- Perforating the root
- Missing canals
- Broken instruments
- Treating the wrong tooth
- Inadequate filling or failure to recognize persistent infection
6.
Improper crowns, bridges or restorations
- Poor bite causing pain or damage
- Inadequate tooth reduction or unnecessary loss of tooth structure
- Failure to correct known deficiencies
7.
Periodontal malpractice
- Failure to diagnose or disclose periodontal disease
- Providing routine cleanings when periodontal treatment was indicated
- Failing to monitor progressive bone loss
- Delayed referral to a periodontist
8.
Anesthesia and sedation errors
- Excessive or inappropriate medication
- Inadequate monitoring
- Poor emergency preparation
- Failure to review medications and medical history
- Improper discharge after sedation
9.
Medication errors
- Prescribing a contraindicated drug
- Missing an allergy or interaction
- Incorrect dose
- Inadequate management of anticoagulants or significant medical conditions
10.
Failure to obtain informed consent
- Not explaining material risks, reasonable alternatives and the option of no treatment
- Performing materially different treatment from what the patient authorized
- Weak documentation of consent
11.
Unnecessary or excessive treatment
- Removing healthy tooth structure
- Unnecessary crowns, root canals, extractions or implants
- Recommending full-mouth treatment without adequate clinical justification
12.
Orthodontic errors
- Uncontrolled tooth movement
- Root resorption
- Periodontal damage
- Poor monitoring or failure to obtain appropriate records
13.
Failure to refer
- Attempting treatment beyond the dentist's training or ability
- Delaying referral after complications develop
- Failing to refer suspicious lesions, difficult surgery or persistent symptoms
14.
Poor follow-up and complication management
- Ignoring repeated complaints
- Failing to communicate test or biopsy results
- Abandoning the patient during active treatment
- Delaying treatment of bleeding. infection, nerve injury or airway concerns
15.
Recordkeeping and communication failures
- Missing clinical findings, diagnoses or treatment discussions
- Altering records after a complaint
- Losing imaging or failing to document prescriptions and follow-up