How to prove dental nerve damage?
Asked by: Mrs. Myrtice Champlin MD | Last update: November 28, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (35 votes)
- Numbness in the gums, cheeks, jaw, face, or tongue.
- A tingling or pulling sensation in those same areas.
- Pain or burning.
- Loss of taste.
- Difficulty eating or speaking due to one or more of the symptoms above.
How do dentists test for nerve damage?
Electric Pulp Tester (EPT)
This test sends an electrical current from a small battery through the tooth. A healthy tooth nerve with feel a tingling sensation, while an unhealthy nerve may feel no sensation at all.
How do you know if you have nerve damage after dental work?
Oral nerve injury caused by trauma during medical or dental procedures is marked by constant pain, aching, burning, numbness or tingling in the mouth, tongue or lip. Nerve damage may also result in loss of sensation in these areas.
Can I sue for nerve damage from a dentist?
Suing Your Dentist for Causing Nerve Damage
If your dentist did cause nerve damage, you may be able to pursue a claim for your damages. When it comes to actually determining whether or not dental malpractice has occurred and if you can sue, the burden of proof lies with you as the injured patient.
Is it hard to prove nerve damage?
Nerve conditions can be hard to diagnose, and many patients live for years without an explanation or effective treatment for their muscle weakness or pain. Our specialists understand that the cause of a nerve condition is not always obvious and often requires a bit of detective work to uncover.
How Can Dental Extractions Cause Nerve Damage? Dr. Vadivel, DDS, MS MBA, FDS RCS, ToothHQ, DFW
What test confirms nerve damage?
A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve. NCV can identify nerve damage. This test is also called a nerve conduction study. During the test, your nerve is stimulated, often with electrode patches put on your skin.
How much is a nerve damage case worth?
It's difficult to pinpoint an exact value for personal injury verdicts and settlements because each case is unique. Victims who suffer mild to moderate nerve injuries may receive up to five figures, while compensation for a victim with severe injuries can range from $100,000 to millions in damages.
How much compensation for dental nerve damage?
Compensation for dental nerve damage typically ranges from $20,000 to $500,000, depending on the severity of nerve damage. If the nerve damage leads to complications like difficulty in speaking or eating, further medical costs may accumulate, drawing higher compensation claims.
What is the most common reason patients sue dentists?
Common Types of Dental Malpractice
Incorrect or inadequate care. Providing inappropriate care, such as performing procedures on the wrong teeth. Delayed treatment. Failure to refer patients to the right specialists.
How can you prove dental nerve damage?
- Numbness in the gums, cheeks, jaw, face, or tongue.
- A tingling or pulling sensation in those same areas.
- Pain or burning.
- Loss of taste.
- Difficulty eating or speaking due to one or more of the symptoms above.
Who diagnoses dental nerve damage?
They'll look for common causes of facial pain, such as a dental infection or cracked tooth. Trigeminal neuralgia is often diagnosed by a dentist, but if you have seen a dentist and they could not find an obvious cause of your pain, you should visit a GP.
What can a dentist do for nerve damage?
Diagnosis And Treatment for Tooth Nerve Pain Relief
The most common treatments provided are dental fillings, root canal therapy, and treatment for conditions like teeth grinding and clenching. We will only recommend tooth extraction when necessary.
How do you know if it's toothache or neuralgia?
For a doctor to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia, the patient must provide a detailed description of symptoms, followed by a thorough neurological exam. Even then, the disorder is easily mistaken for a toothache, cluster headaches or some other ailment.
What are the signs of permanent nerve damage from a tooth?
- A dull ache near the gum line.
- Discomfort when eating.
- Pain following exposure to hot or cold temperatures.
- Acute pain targeting a single tooth.
- Pain that radiates throughout the mouth.
Why does my tooth hurt but my dentist says nothing wrong?
There are some other rare reasons why your tooth might hurt, even when it looks okay on an X-ray. Things like referred pain (when a problem in one part of your body causes pain somewhere else) or even stress can play a role. It's like your body is playing a game of hide-and-seek with the source of your pain.
What is the investigation for nerve damage?
In order to fully determine the extent of the damage to the nerve, the doctor may order an electrical conduction test to determine the passage of electrical currents through the nerves. Two of these tests are electromyography and nerve conduction velocity.
How much can I get for suing my dentist?
The average settlement amount in dental malpractice cases is $65,000, but victims may qualify for more in certain instances. By calculating the damages and collecting evidence to support their claims, victims of dental malpractice may be able to recover full compensation for the damages they sustain.
Is dental malpractice hard to prove?
However, proving these can be difficult in some cases, and it may be necessary to secure the testimony of experts in various fields to help back your claim. Pursuing a dental malpractice case is rarely a straightforward process.
What is the payout for nerve damage?
Determining the average settlement for nerve damage can be complex due to the unique nature of each case. Settlements for nerve damage vary widely. Minor injuries typically result in settlements ranging from $15,000 to $100,000. Severe injuries that cause chronic pain and disability can lead to much higher amounts.
How long does it take to settle a dental malpractice lawsuit?
The Process of Settling a Dental Malpractice Lawsuit
The settlement process may take six months to over a year to complete, depending on several factors, including: Collecting Evidence: This includes gathering witness testimonies, dental and medical records, photographs, and other evidence that substantiate your claim.
How do I get compensation from a dentist?
To claim dental negligence compensation, you'll need to prove that the malpractice occurred due to a breach of the professional's duty of care and that this directly contributed to your injury. To do this, you and your legal team will need to gather your dental records along with any other evidence.
Can doctors prove nerve damage?
A doctor may order a nerve conduction study, which can reveal if you have nerve damage. The study measures how quickly an electrical impulse travels through a nerve and how much of the impulse is transmitted. Nerves carry messages between your brain and muscles.
Can I sue my doctor for nerve damage?
In these situations, you deserve justice—and if a surgeon's negligence caused your nerve damage, you have the right to pursue a lawsuit against them.