Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Malpractice Lawyer

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are dentists who specialize in oral surgery. Like all doctors, dentists and surgeons, they have a duty to protect the health and well-being of their patients. When injuries occur due to errors made during an oral surgery procedure, an oral surgeon can be held liable under medical malpractice laws.

Like general dentists, oral surgeons complete dental school and can perform routine dental procedures. They also receive additional education and training to become an oral surgeon, specializing in treating maladies that affect the bone and tissues in the oral and maxillofacial region (mouth, jaw and face). The most common procedures they perform include wisdom teeth removal and dental implants, but they can also perform many other oral surgeries. Most oral surgeries require some level of anesthesia. It is common for twilight, or general anesthesia, to be used during major oral surgeries.

Injuries Caused by Oral or Dental Surgery

There are reports of everything from heart problems and nerve damage to death from oral surgery. While any surgery does have risks, especially when using general anesthesia, if surgical errors are made that cause harm, this is not an accepted risk of surgery. Many oral surgeons administer their own anesthesia in their clinic versus having an anesthesiologist monitoring the patient. Reactions to the anesthesia can be life-threatening, especially if the oral surgeon does not adequately monitor the patient for signs of distress. Other possible injuries can include:

• Nerve damage
• Facial paralysis
• Infection or sepsis
• Bacterial endocarditis (inflammation of the heart lining)
• Wrong procedure or wrong tooth removed
• Unnecessary tooth removal

In addition to surgical procedures, oral surgeons are expected to diagnose and treat many other diseases. A wrong diagnosis or failure to diagnose serious oral diseases like cancer can cause extreme harm to the patient.

If you believe you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of an oral surgeon, contact Race Law Firm today. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim at our Atlanta office. We can advise you on your options, as you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries or loss.