Is there anything I can do ifI got a wisdom tooth pulled and still have numbness in my lip and pain in my teeth a month after the surgery?

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Is there anything I can do ifI got a wisdom tooth pulled and still have numbness in my lip and pain in my teeth a month after the surgery?

Also, it is causing pain to my teeth. Is there anything that I can do?

Asked on January 6, 2012 under Malpractice Law, New York

Answers:

Thomas Reilly / Albert W Chianese & Associates

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

There are a number of questions to ask.  Why was th tooth being pulled?  Did you have any problems with the tooth?  Was the doctor who extracted the tooth an Oral Surgeon or a general dentist?  The extraction of wisdom teeth are difficult extractions and often require an Oral Surgeon to extract them.  From your description your have an injury to your inferior alveolar nerve, which runs below the roots of your teeth.  You should see a neurosurgeon who specializes in these types of injuries. If the extraction was done by a general dentist you may have a good claim of malpractice, I would need to see the records.  Keep in mind the statute of limitations is 2 and 1/2 years from the date of the treatment complained of.  If you have any questions you can contact me.

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If the procedure was not performed up to current accepted medical standards for some reason, that may be malpractice--though if it was performed to accepted standards, then even if you have had some problems afterwards, it would not be malpractice and there would not be liability. Also, even if there were malpractice, you can only recover for actual costs (like additional medical costs) or significant pain and suffering--typically, more than some pain and numbness a month after what's basically surgery (pain, etc. is expected for  some time after surgery).

Therefore, at this point, there may be nothing to do. If in the future you have to undergo additional medical procedures to correct  a problem, suffer the pain, etc. for prolonged time, experience some disability (e.g. difficulty chewing), then that would be the time to consider a malpractice claim.


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