Dental implants can help restore confidence, comfort and healthy function to patients who are missing teeth. And now that they’re widely available and more accessible, more and more people are opting for this treatment over bridges and dentures.
Dental implants require a high level of expertise and specialised training, which only certain dentists possess. This is why most dental implant procedures are successful. However, like any medical procedure, complications are always possible. Instances of poor pre-surgical evaluation, planning, and incorrect implant placement can cause severe damage to the jaw and surrounding teeth. If something has gone wrong during your dental implant surgery, it could be due to professional negligence from your dentist.
If you’ve been dealing with unnecessary pain or suffering due to dental implant failure, you may be entitled to some compensation – and that’s where Farleys Solicitors can help.
Fill in our contact form below, or give us a call on 01254 606008 to speak to one of our friendly solicitors today about starting a dental negligence claim.
How we can help with dental implant claims at Farleys
At Farleys, we’ve been helping our clients for over 60 years, and our top priority is to provide you with a personalised, dedicated service. We have a long history of successfully handling compensation claims for dental implant failure, and we understand just how much dental negligence can affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
To get started with your case, our dental negligence solicitors will have a thorough conversation with you. We want to ensure we have all the information we need to give you advice tailored to your situation and explore the best options available. After that, we’ll determine which of these options has the best chance of bringing a satisfactory outcome.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a popular and effective treatment option for replacing missing teeth. They are screw-like artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed into the jawbone and are usually made from titanium. Once implanted, they fuse with the bone of the jaw and provide a stable foundation for the replacement teeth. Once they are fitted they look as beautiful as a natural smile.
Dental implants offer stability, preserve jawbone structure, and provide a natural appearance. However, they do not work for everyone. Eligibility varies based on overall health and jawbone condition, and the costs depend on the complexity of the surgery. Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups are paramount for the success of the implants and preventing infections or implant failure.
What causes implant failure?
There’s a variety of reasons why dental implants may fail such as the standard of post-treatment care as well as the skill and competence of the dentist.
Dental negligence is when a dentist does not deliver the expected standard of care, potentially resulting in harm or damaging outcomes for the patient. One example of this is when dental implants fail through no fault of the patient and lack of proper assessment on the dentist’s part. Others include:
- Nerve damage
- Failure of osseointegration (the process of the jawbone fusing with the impact)
- Sinus cavity penetration
- Peri-implantitis (a dental implant infection that affects the soft and hard gum tissues)
All of which can be extremely painful for the patient and have a significant impact on quality of life. Whatever your experience with dental implants, if you believe that you have suffered due to negligence during your procedure, please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss making a dental implant negligence claim.
Am I eligible to make a dental negligence claim?
If you can prove that your dentist did not meet their duty of care toward you, you might qualify to pursue a dental negligence claim. All healthcare providers, including dentists, must provide their patients with a reasonable standard of care.
If you can present evidence that their level of care did not meet reasonable expectations, they likely violated their duty of care to you, creating grounds for a dental negligence claim. Establishing this will generally require the input of medical experts with a similar or greater level of expertise and training.
However, even with an expert opinion, proving negligence can be challenging in its own right. To pursue compensation, you must also demonstrate that you have experienced suffering and endured hardship because of your dentist’s negligence.
That’s why it’s always helpful to have a range of supporting evidence if you can, including:
- Dental records
- Witness statements
- A second expert opinion
- Relevant photos (for example, depicting your injuries)
- Financial records
Contact a Specialist in Dental Negligence Claims
At Farleys, we offer our clients a ‘no win, no fee’ service whenever possible. We understand how stressful legal cases can be and strive to provide a friendly, personable approach that avoids using complicated legal jargon. We’ll always make it easy for you to get all the information you need to make informed decisions about your case, regardless of the specifics of your dental negligence claim. You can depend on us to handle your case with regard and expert knowledge.
If you need free initial advice on pursuing a dental negligence claim, you can contact Farleys’ dental negligence claims solicitors today on 0330 828 3881 or arrange an appointment via email.
FAQs
What are the time limits for claiming dental negligence compensation?
In the UK, you have a time limit of three years to make a claim for dental negligence starting from the date of the dental treatment.
However, we understand that it can take time for signs of implant failure to become noticeable, so in some cases, this time limit may begin from the “date of knowledge,” which refers to the date when you became aware that you were affected by dental negligence. It can be challenging to determine these timescales accurately at the best of times, so it’s important to contact Farleys as soon as you suspect you may have a claim, and we’ll get to work on resolving your case as quickly and efficiently as possible.
How long do dental negligence claims take to resolve?
The duration of any dental negligence claim is influenced by several factors, including the complexity, the severity of your injuries, the time it takes to gather evidence, and your dentist’s response. It’s worth noting that many cases are resolved amicably before they reach a courtroom. However, if your case does make it to court, we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that you receive the support you need.
What are the most common reasons for compensation claims for dentists?
Dentists can face dental negligence claims in various situations, and the time taken to resolve the claims depends on the nature and severity of the circumstances. Some of the most common cases are:
- The inadequate assessment of the patient’s jaw’s health
- Lack of precision when choosing the implant positioning
- Damage to a patient’s nerves
- Harm to any neighbouring teeth
- The penetration of the sinus cavity
- Implant loosening due to insufficient fusion with the bone
- An unusual amount of pain or sensitivity after the procedure
These are just a few examples, your case may be different! However, if you feel that one of the points listed above accurately describes your situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
We’re a well-established firm that has been providing legal services to clients across the North West and nationwide for over 60 years. Our team of solicitors has a wealth of experience in dealing with dental negligence cases and can provide quick and concise advice exactly when you need it.
We understand that every case differs, so we offer personalised advice to meet your specific needs. In addition to advising you on the best course of action, we’ll even consider handling your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.
If you’d like to speak to one of our specialist dental implant negligence solicitors or have questions about any of our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us by giving us a call on 01254 606008, using the online chat feature on our website, or emailing us at info@farleys.com. We’re here to help!