Dental Implant Compensation Claims

Dental implants have been largely regarded as the solution to the horrendous inconvenience and pain associated with tooth loss. Whilst bridges, dentures, and crowns can be good to treat the problems, implants are a direct replacement for a lost tooth and they can look and feel great. A replacement tooth is literally fitted in to the jaw bone as a nice new permanent replacement for lost pearly whites.

But dental implants have only been used widely in recent years and they are not without their risks and dangers. As with any foreign object or implant that is fitted in to the body, there are risks and there are unknowns about their use. The skill of the dentist and the quality of the implant, as well as the health of the patient, can make a significant difference when it comes to results. We have seen our fair share of dental implant failures that have stemmed from poor dental technique or poor patient preparation.

The most common problem is Osseointegration failure which is where the implant falls out due to the bone and the implant failing to fuse together properly. Other problems can be poor preparation for the procedure or a lack of dentists properly assessing your medical history to identify any problems you have that could affect the dental implant. For example, people with bone diseases, blood clotting disorders, immune system disorders, and other systematic illnesses may not be suitable for an implant because of an inherent risk of failure.

Common problems caused by negligence can be:

• The failure to properly assess the patient’s medical history (as referenced above)
• Infection during the surgery caused by poor dental technique
• Damage to the surrounding tissue and bone through poor surgical technique leading to implant failure
• Incorrect positioning of the implant causing the implant to fall out; or causing nerve damage and chronic pain when the implant is too close to a nerve; or causing sinus problems if the implant protrudes in to the sinus cavity
• Insufficient jaw bone density or volume, or weak jaw bone structures, meaning the implant cannot be properly held in place
• Allergic reactions to the metal of the implants (which are largely titanium with nickel traces) where appropriate tests have not been carried out
• Poor, or lack of, follow up advice and appointments

Chronic pain and nerve damage is a known symptom of poor dentistry technique, as are repeated implant failures. In either scenario there may be a strong possibility that you are the victim of an inexperienced dentist who has failed to properly conduct the implantation procedure.

Mucositis and Peri-implantitis

Mucositis and Peri-implantitis are conditions which can develop through a build up of bacteria on an implant. Mucositis is inflammation of the mucus membrane around the implant which can develop in to Peri-implantitis if left untreated.

Peri-implantitis has been described by experts as the “ticking time bomb” of problems that are lined with a catastrophic failure of a dental implant, which means it is a key problem to prevent.

Known signs of these problems can be inflammation and redness of the gum; bleeding of the gums; loosening of the implants; bad breath; and bad tastes in the mouth. It is imperative that dentists check for the signs and symptoms of Mucositis and Peri-implantitis to ensure that treatment can be provided to prevent any failure of the implant which could result in permanent problems.

You may have a claim for dental implant failure compensation if your dentist fails to spot and treat the condition.

What rights do I have if my dental implant has failed?

The procedures for dental implants generally cost thousands of pounds so we know of the physical and emotional distress that this can cause, on top of the considerable financial strain. Where we can prove that you are the victim of dental negligence, you are entitled to claim for dental injury compensation which accurately reflects the severity and extent of the suffering and loss. Whether this involves revision procedures, months (or even years) of restoration work, or a permanent loss if the implant or the implant site cannot be salvaged, your payout will reflect this.

On top of the payout for the suffering and inconvenience you are also entitled to claim the costs of the extra work as well. This can run in to tens of thousands of pounds but you are well within your rights to claim for it.

Speak to our expert dental negligence team now

We are a specialist firm of personal injury lawyers with years of experience in fighting for the rights of dental injury victims. Our dental negligence lawyers will talk you through the process and guide you through the claim with the minimum of hassle and fuss for you.

Call us on 0800 634 7575, or if you prefer why not arrange a call back from one of our team, for instant FREE advice on whether you have a dental implant compensation claim to make!

Need one of our expert claims team to call you back about a dental injury? Then please enter your name, the telephone number you would like us to call you back on, the accident type and when you would like us to contact you in the form below.