September 10, 2025 | Medical Malpractice
When you visit the dentist, you expect to leave with healthier teeth and gums. Unfortunately, not all dental visits go as planned. While most dentists in Chicago and nationwide provide safe and effective care, errors happen.
When a dentist’s mistakes cause serious injury, the situation may rise to the level of dental malpractice. Understanding the most common types of dental malpractice can help patients recognize when something went wrong and when it may be time to seek legal help.
What Is Dental Malpractice?
Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist, oral surgeon, or other dental professional fails to provide the accepted standard of care, and that failure causes injury or harm to a patient. It is similar to medical malpractice but involves mistakes during dental treatment, diagnosis, or surgery.
In many cases, malpractice stems from negligence, lack of proper training, or failure to follow standard safety practices. The harm may include physical injury, long-term health issues, or even life-threatening complications.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
One of the most common forms of dental malpractice is misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Dentists are responsible for identifying serious oral health issues such as gum disease, oral cancer, or tooth decay.
If they fail to recognize warning signs, patients can suffer lasting damage. When a dentist overlooks key symptoms or does not order proper tests, the patient may have grounds for a malpractice claim.
Surgical and Anesthesia Errors
Dental surgeries, such as tooth extractions, root canals, or implant placements, carry risks. Errors during these procedures can cause severe harm. One significant risk comes from anesthesia.
Dentists often use local or general anesthesia, and incorrect dosages or failure to monitor a patient can lead to serious complications, including brain damage or death.
Surgical mistakes can include damaging nerves, cutting surrounding tissue, or extracting the wrong tooth. In some cases, foreign objects such as surgical instruments or materials are left behind, creating infection and long-term health issues.
When patients suffer nerve damage from surgery, the effects can be permanent, including loss of sensation in the tongue, lips, or jaw.
Unnecessary Procedures
Another troubling instance of dental malpractice is performing unnecessary procedures. Dentists may recommend treatments that are not medically required, such as pulling teeth that could have been saved or placing expensive implants instead of offering simpler solutions.
Unnecessary procedures expose patients to risks and lead to higher medical bills. This type of malpractice is especially harmful because it places profit over patient care. Patients should always feel comfortable seeking a second opinion before undergoing costly or invasive dental treatments.
Infections Caused by Unsanitary Practices
Cleanliness is essential in every dental office. Instruments must be sterilized, surfaces sanitized, and gloves changed between patients. When dentists or staff cut corners, patients can develop serious infections. Infections may spread quickly from the mouth to other body parts, sometimes leading to hospitalization.
Conditions like endocarditis (a heart infection) or sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to infection) have been linked to unsanitary dental practices. When an infection occurs due to a dentist’s failure to maintain proper hygiene, it may be a malpractice case.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent
Before starting treatment, dentists are required to explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient. This process is known as informed consent. Patients cannot make educated decisions about their care if a dentist does not provide enough information. Informed consent is not just a formality but a patient’s right.
Prescription Errors
Dentists often prescribe antibiotics, pain relievers, or sedatives. Prescription mistakes, such as giving the wrong drug or dosage or failing to consider dangerous interactions, can lead to serious medical problems. Patients harmed by these mistakes may be entitled to legal action.
Contact the Chicago Dental Malpractice Attorneys at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Dental visits are supposed to improve your health—not make it worse. Yet mistakes like misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and unsanitary practices continue to harm patients. By learning about the most common instances of dental malpractice, you can better recognize when your rights may have been violated.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to negligent dental care, know that you do not have to face the consequences alone. For more information, contact an experienced dental malpractice lawyer at Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
We serve Cook County and its surrounding areas:
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers
5351 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641
(312) 635-5400
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