Why Failure to Diagnose Periodontal Disease is Usually New York Dental Malpractice

Failure to Diagnose Periodontal Disease: Why it Could be New York Dental Malpractice 

One of the most common types of New York dental malpractice cases which usually results in liability is the failure to diagnose periodontal disease.  This is an incredibly treatable oral disease which can be treated early with very little intervention—sometimes just prescription mouthwashes!  The signs of symptoms of periodontal disease can be easy too, particularly when the condition progresses to a point where there will be serious damages.  If you have periodontal disease which is misdiagnosed, please call our Kingston medical malpractice lawyer to learn your rights.

Periodontal disease is a very damage disease.  It results from the rescinding gum lines.  This exposes more of the tooth then is supposed to be exposed.  This caused damage and bone loss to the bottom of the teeth.  It can also result in bone loss of the jaw which holds the teeth in place.  As a result of different parts of the teeth being exposed which shouldn’t be, these newly and improperly exposed areas of the teeth and jaw bone are susceptible to infection.  

When periodontal disease progresses to a larger part of the mouth where it is no longer isolated to a few teeth, or where it pulls the gums back so far that the bottom of the teeth and jaw bone is exposed, it can the loss of teeth.  It could also result in nerve damage which affects sensitivity in the mouth and even taste.

Periodontal disease manifests itself in a very obvious manner.  While it is true in the very beginning that periodontal disease can be difficult to assess because the “pockets” which show the rescission are not large and difficult to see, that quickly changes.  As the disease progresses, the tooth exposure and pockets will become so large that you can see them and identify something is wrong without any special tools or training.  This is why a trained dentist and healthcare provider should catch these.  At this point the teeth may not be compromised, it is when this continues to progress that it gets worse and worse for the patient.

This is why dentists and healthcare providers who are checking the oral health of a patient really need to be held liable for their injuries.  A failure to diagnose periodontal disease can cause permanent injuries to a patient.  But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.