Teeth whitening is an incredibly popular cosmetic dental procedure, if not the most popular. It’s relatively painless and fast and the effects can be seen immediately after the procedure. It’s also widely available at dental clinics. Unlike many other treatments, the patient can sometimes take and use kits at home to maintain the whiteness of their smile between appointments.
Despite its popularity and less invasive nature in comparison to other dental procedures, it’s crucial to emphasise that teeth whitening should always be performed by a skilled dentist. A successful teeth-whitening procedure is always conducted by a licensed and experienced professional who thoroughly evaluates the oral health of potential patients before proceeding with any cosmetic treatment, whether invasive or not.
Nevertheless, as with any dental procedure, there is always a risk of complications, especially if the treatment is administered by an unqualified individual or if proper precautions are not taken before and during the procedure. So, if you encounter issues during your teeth whitening procedure, it may be attributable to professional negligence on the part of your dentist.
If you’ve been dealing with unnecessary pain or suffering due to teeth whitening damage, you may be entitled to compensation – and that’s where we can help.
Start by filling out our contact form below, or give us a call on 01254606008 to speak to one of our friendly solicitors today about starting a dental negligence claim.
How we can help with teething whitening claims at Farleys
At Farleys, we’ve been assisting our clients for more than 60 years, and our primary focus is to deliver a personalised and dedicated service. We have a long history of effectively managing compensation claims related to teeth whitening negligence, and we recognise the significant impact of dental negligence on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
To start your case, our dental negligence solicitors will sit down for an in-depth discussion with you. Our aim is to ensure that we gather all the essential details required to provide you with tailored advice and explore the options available. Following this, we will evaluate which of these options is most likely to produce a satisfactory resolution for your case.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that aims to improve the appearance of a person’s teeth by reducing stains and discolouration. It involves using whitening agents or techniques, which can be performed by a dentist in a dental clinic or by using professional at-home whitening kits (prescribed by the dentist). The primary goal of teeth whitening is to remove surface stains from the teeth and enhance their natural colour, resulting in a brighter and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Achieving whiter teeth is a common goal for many. Still, it’s important to note that proper pre-treatment assessments, the use of correct products, and application techniques are crucial to ensure safety. Without these precautions in place, teeth whitening can be a potentially dangerous process for various reasons, and in some cases teeth whitening damage can be irreparable.
What causes teeth whitening damage?
There’s a variety of reasons why teeth whitening could go wrong, such as the standard of in-treatment care as well as the skill and competence of the dentist.
Dental negligence occurs when your dentist fails to provide the standard of care expected, potentially leading to harm or potential damage to the patient’s teeth and health. A common illustration of this is when teeth whitening goes wrong due to factors beyond the patient’s control and as a result of inadequate assessment, application and care on the behalf of the dentist. Additional instances include:
- Burns from the whitening process used (usually to the gums and lips)
- Overly sensitive teeth (caused by the whitening agent stripping the enamel from the teeth)
- Unnecessary amounts of hydrogen peroxide being used during treatment – when excess hydrogen peroxide is used, the patient can accidentally ingest the solution causing severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and blistering lips
- Permanent tooth or gum damage
All of these mistakes can be physically and emotionally distressing for the patient and have a significant negative impact on their quality of life.
If you have undergone professional teeth whitening, you may have experienced some discomfort, which is completely normal as with any procedure. But what happens when the pain is more than minor discomfort and becomes unbearable? Unfortunately, patients do sometimes suffer from negligence when they undergo teeth whitening treatments – which can significantly impact their quality of life.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you believe you suffered due to teeth whitening damage caused by your dentist or practitioner. Our team of experts is here to assist you in making a teeth whitening claim and getting the compensation you deserve.
Am I eligible to make a dental negligence claim?
All healthcare providers, including dentists, must provide their patients with a certain standard of care. If you feel that your dentist or practitioner did not provide you with the reasonable care you are owed by law, you may be able to pursue a dental negligence claim.
To establish a claim, we will likely need to bring in help from medical experts with a similar level of expertise. Despite these expert opinions, proving negligence is often a challenging feat, and you must also be able to demonstrate that you have suffered as a result of your dentist’s negligence to pursue compensation. An experienced solicitor can help you navigate this process and seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
However, it’s always helpful to gather a range of supporting evidence in the form of:
- Dental records
- Witness statements
- A second expert opinion
- Relevant photos (for example, depicting your injuries)
- Financial records
Or anything else that may be of interest or help demonstrate your case.
Contact a Specialist in Dental Negligence Claims
At Farleys, we understand how daunting legal cases can be. That’s why we offer our clients a ‘no win, no fee’ service whenever possible. We take pride in providing a friendly, personable approach to cases and avoiding using unnecessarily complicated legal jargon. We aim to make it easy for you to understand the details of your dental negligence claim so you can make informed decisions in your best interest. You can rely on our team of experts to handle your case with the care and professionalism you deserve.
If you’d like some free initial advice on pursuing a dental negligence claim, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our teeth whitening negligence claims solicitors for assistance. You can contact us today on the phone on 01254606008 or arrange an appointment with us via email. Our team is here to help you through every step of the process!
What are the time limits for claiming dental negligence compensation?
Unfortunately, time is of the essence when it comes to making a dental negligence claim, and under the majority of circumstances, the claim needs to be filed within three years of receiving the treatment.
Sometimes, the deadline for filing a claim may begin from the “date of knowledge” – when you first realise that you have been affected by dental malpractice. However, pinpointing these deadlines accurately can be challenging, so we recommend that you contact Farleys as soon as you suspect that you may have a teeth whitening damage claim. We’ll work diligently to help you resolve your case as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
How long do dental negligence claims take to resolve?
Various factors can influence the length of a dental negligence claim. These factors include the complexity of the case, the extent of your injuries, the time taken to gather evidence, and the reaction of your dentist. It is important to note that most cases are settled outside of court cordially. However, if your case proceeds to court, we will be by your side every step of the way to provide you with the support you need.
What are the most common reasons for compensation claims for dentists?
Cases of dental malpractice can arise in different situations, and the duration of resolving these claims may vary depending on the severity and complexity of each case. Below are some of the most common scenarios where dental negligence claims are filed:
- An unusual amount of pain or tooth-sensitivity after the procedure
- Burns to the lips or gums after treatment
- Permanent tooth or gum damage
- Ingesting chemicals because of excess use causing severe stomach issues
Every situation is unique, and the examples provided may not necessarily apply to your case. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for help.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
We have been providing legal services across the North West and nationwide for over 60 years. Our team of experienced solicitors specialise in handling dental negligence cases and can provide prompt and clear advice tailored to your specific needs.
We understand that every case is unique, so we offer personalised advice to each client’s requirements. We also offer to pursue your claim no-win, no-fee basis whenever we can, which means you won’t have to worry about legal fees.
If you have any questions about our services or want to speak to one of our specialist dental implant negligence solicitors, reach out today! You can contact us by calling 01254606008, using the online chat feature on our website, or emailing us at info@farleys.com. We’re here to support you.