atypical pain caused by full mouth tooth extraction

[hayangle2]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

I wanted to have dental implants. The dentist I went to had a surgeon come to do the procedure and the dentist said he would do the follow up care. I only wanted the uppers or lowers done at different times but the surgeon said the would only do a full mouth extraction. During the procedure at one time my body began to shake uncontrollably and I had intense pain. The surgeon stepped back for a couple of minutes. After the procedure he said I would have numbness because he couldn't get around a nerve. A couple of days after, I noticed and excruciating pain on my left side that gradually took over my whole mouth. Every time I brought this to the dentist's attention he would get annoyed and say he could see nothing wrong. He refused to help me find a specialist. This went on for almost three months. After searching endlessly I found a neurologist in Chicago at Rush Hospital. I have been diagnosed with atypical pain. She said it was definitely from the surgery. My care provider also said the same thing and classified it as "Acquired A-Typical Pain from surgery". Any opinions? I have been in the worst pain in my life for a year now. I can only wear my dentures for a short time. I have ultimately considered taking my life due to the intense, constant pain. However, I have children and my faith would never allow me to follow through with such a thing. I am not a person that thinks of lawsuits. However, the dentist showed no compassion and left me crying at each visit because he would not even help me find a specialist. He acted annoyed and upset that I was even having a problem. Any opinions on a possible lawsuit?

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Indiana

I wanted to have dental implants. The dentist I went to had a surgeon come to do the procedure and the dentist said he would do the follow up care. I only wanted the uppers or lowers done at different times but the surgeon said the would only do a full mouth extraction. During the procedure at one time my body began to shake uncontrollably and I had intense pain. The surgeon stepped back for a couple of minutes. After the procedure he said I would have numbness because he couldn't get around a nerve. A couple of days after, I noticed and excruciating pain on my left side that gradually took over my whole mouth. Every time I brought this to the dentist's attention he would get annoyed and say he could see nothing wrong. He refused to help me find a specialist. This went on for almost three months. After searching endlessly I found a neurologist in Chicago at Rush Hospital. I have been diagnosed with atypical pain. She said it was definitely from the surgery. My care provider also said the same thing and classified it as "Acquired A-Typical Pain from surgery". Any opinions? I have been in the worst pain in my life for a year now. I can only wear my dentures for a short time. I have ultimately considered taking my life due to the intense, constant pain. However, I have children and my faith would never allow me to follow through with such a thing. I am not a person that thinks of lawsuits. However, the dentist showed no compassion and left me crying at each visit because he would not even help me find a specialist. He acted annoyed and upset that I was even having a problem. Any opinions on a possible lawsuit?

Unfortunately lingering pain - even severe - can happen after any surgical procedure, and it doesn't necessarily mean there was malpractice.

Gather your records and have a local attorney look over them; you shouldn't be charged for this and you'll have a much better idea of whether or not there is a viable case.

Sorry you're in so much pain.

 

[hayangle2]

medical records

I have obtained all of the medical records. The records from the dentist only show that I have complained of pain once. The only other information it has is all of the prescriptions they gave me. I saw the nurse taking notes every time I had an appointment but those are not included. I asked the office manager and he said there were none. I only saw the surgeon one time and that was when he pulled my teeth. I cannot read his writing on the paper at all.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

You need to follow the advice and run the records and your story past an attorney experienced in dental malpractice.

 

[hayangle2]

No dental attorneys in my area

The only dental attorney in my area did not see the records. She would not take the case unless the records show that a needle hit a specific nerve. How can I find one close to me? Thanks everyone for taking the time and care to help me.

 

[Dave1952]

Use a search engine and type in "dental malpractice lawyer". No idea what you mean by close. It's usually a good idea to use a lawyer in the same county where you intend to sue or one from a nearby county.

 

[justalayman]

also understand that atypical pain means nothing more than pain not normally associated with the situation. If my big toe hurt as a result of getting my ear pierced, that would be atypical pain.


It does mean that something unusual probably happened though. Whether that rises to malpractice or not I cannot say.

but if you went to Rush in Chicago, that suggests that Chicago is your area. There are thousands of lawyers in Chicago and surrounding areas. There is surely more than one that deals with dental malpractice. If not, your chances of finding one outside of Chicago drop quite quickly as Chicago is obviously the biggest metro area in a couple hundred mile radius.

 

[hayangle2]

re: Lawyer in area

I live in Mishawaka Indiana. I had to go to Chicago because no one treats my condition anywhere near me. my health care provider has in my medical records that the atypical pain was caused by the extractions and my neurologist also told me my atypical pain was definitely caused by the extractions. Thanks everyone so much for your help.

 

[Zigner]

I live in Mishawaka Indiana.

Start talking to medical malpractice attorneys. If they can't help you, they will almost definitely be able to provide a referral.

 

[hayangle2]

Thank You

Thanks everyone for all of your help and time you have taken to assist me.

 

[hayangle2]

Pain Located

I was recently put on the medication Lyrica. It has helped with the feeling of intense pressure. Over the past couple of days I have noticed in the morning that I can now tell exactly where the pain is coming from, where my lower left tooth would be. Will this make any difference in a possible case?

 

[hayangle2]

Pain located

also understand that atypical pain means nothing more than pain not normally associated with the situation. If my big toe hurt as a result of getting my ear pierced, that would be atypical pain.


It does mean that something unusual probably happened though. Whether that rises to malpractice or not I cannot say.

but if you went to Rush in Chicago, that suggests that Chicago is your area. There are thousands of lawyers in Chicago and surrounding areas. There is surely more than one that deals with dental malpractice. If not, your chances of finding one outside of Chicago drop quite quickly as Chicago is obviously the biggest metro area in a couple hundred mile radius.

I was recently put on the medication Lyrica. It has helped with the feeling of intense pressure. Over the past couple of days I have noticed in the morning that I can now tell exactly where the pain is coming from, where my lower left tooth would be. Will this make any difference in a possible case?

 

[justalayman]

it may help a doctor/dentist/oral surgeon in diagnosing the problem. That could lead to proof of the cause or it may not. It may not lead to proof of malpractice. It simply is impossible to say.

 

[hayangle2]

dianosis now neuropathy

I am really discouraged. I have now also been diagnosed with neuropathy and have been having nerve blocks that are not yet effective. I live in St. Joe county Indiana and cannot find an attorney. All of the medical professionals I have seen said my nerve damage was caused from the extractions. Can anyone help me find a dental malpractice attorney in my area?

 

[cbg]

No, we can't. This is not a referral service and the rules of the board prohibit specific referrals.

Call your state Bar Association, your local Legal Aide or any law schools in your area. They will be able to provide referrals. We cannot.