Most people think of a dental visit as routine. A cleaning, a filling, or even an extraction is not something you expect to change your life. Yet dental procedures involve nerves, bone, anesthesia, and surgical tools, and when a dentist or oral surgeon makes a careless mistake, the result can be chronic pain, permanent numbness, or serious infection.
At Cimino Law Office, LLC, we take these injuries seriously. As a dental malpractice lawyer in Denver, CO, John Cimino applies nearly four decades of legal experience to help patients understand whether the care they received fell below the accepted standard and what options they have for seeking justice and compensation.
Dental malpractice is a form of professional negligence, and it falls under the same legal principles as other medical malpractice claims. Dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, endodontists, and dental hygienists all owe their patients a duty to provide competent, careful treatment. When that duty is breached and an injury follows, the patient may have a claim.
These cases can be challenging because the injury may not be obvious right away. Numbness that lingers for weeks, pain that grows worse instead of better, or a second dentist's concern about prior work are often the first signs that something went wrong. Paying attention to those signs, and writing down when they began, can make a real difference later.
Tooth extractions, implant placement, and injections near the jaw can damage the nerves that provide feeling to the lips, tongue, and chin. Some nerve injuries heal, while others leave patients with permanent numbness, tingling, or pain that affects speaking and eating.
Other cases involve failed or improperly placed implants, root canals that leave infected material behind, work on the wrong tooth, unnecessary procedures, and crowns or bridges that cause bite problems and further damage.
Dentists are often the first to see warning signs of oral cancer and serious gum disease. A failure to notice or follow up on these signs can allow a treatable condition to progress. Infections that are not recognized or treated promptly after a procedure can also spread and require hospitalization.
A disappointing result is not always negligence. Teeth and gums respond differently from person to person, and some complications happen even with excellent care. You should consider speaking with a dentist negligence attorney if a procedure left you with ongoing pain or numbness, if another dentist told you the work was done incorrectly, if you needed corrective surgery, or if a serious condition was missed during regular visits.
Dental malpractice claims follow the same Colorado rules as other health care claims. You generally must show that the dentist breached the standard of care, that the breach caused your injury, and that you suffered real losses such as corrective treatment costs, lost wages, and pain. A Certificate of Review from a qualified expert is usually required, and most claims must be filed within two years of when the injury and its cause were discovered, with an outer time limit that may apply even if the problem was found late.
Keeping your dental records, X-rays, billing statements, and notes from follow-up visits will help us evaluate your claim accurately. If another dentist has examined the work, their findings can be especially valuable.
Please do not wait for a problem to resolve on its own before seeking advice, since the filing deadline may already be running.
You trusted your dentist with your care, and you deserve answers if something went wrong. Our firm handles dental claims alongside our broader medical malpractice practice and serves patients throughout the Denver area and Colorado, including Brighton, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs. Call (720) 434-0434 to schedule a free consultation today.
Cimino Law Office, LLC represents patients injured by careless dental care, including nerve damage from extractions or implants, failed implants and root canals, work on the wrong tooth, and missed signs of oral cancer. Dental claims follow the same Colorado rules as other health care claims, including expert review and a two-year discovery deadline in most cases.
Can I sue a dentist for nerve damage?
You may have a claim if nerve damage from an extraction, implant, or injection resulted from a dentist failing to meet the standard of care. Some nerve injuries are known risks even with careful treatment, so an expert review of your records is essential.
Does dental malpractice follow the same rules as medical malpractice?
Yes. Dental malpractice claims in Colorado follow the same rules as other health care claims, including the need for expert support, a Certificate of Review in most cases, and strict filing deadlines.
What are common types of dental malpractice?
Common claims involve nerve injuries, failed or poorly placed implants, root canals that leave infection behind, work on the wrong tooth, unnecessary procedures, and missed signs of oral cancer or serious gum disease.
Should I wait to see if my symptoms improve before calling a lawyer?
It is reasonable to continue treatment, but waiting does not pause the filing deadline. Most claims must be filed within two years of when the injury and its cause were discovered, so an early conversation protects your options.
What records help a dental malpractice claim?
Treatment notes, X-rays, billing statements, and records from any follow-up or corrective care are the most useful. Findings from a second dentist who examined the work can be especially valuable.
