Dental nerve damage (permanent nerve injury)

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Area of law: Healthcare law
Country: United States of America
State: California

I have permanent nerve injury from dental anesthetic Septocaine. My tongue will always be numb and my sense of taste is drastically reduced. Also pain in the floor of my mouth and the constant feeling of swallowing my tongue. Also the fear of biting or burning my tongue. Injury was done during deep cleaning when hygienist used Septocaine injection for deadening. Should I be entitled to compensation by the dentist\'s malpractice insurance? Dentist\'s insurance agent has offered $9900 and I feel this is nowhere near enough for what I will be suffering for the rest of my life. Thanks for any information.

It is certainly possible you have a case based on what you say here; you should take a brief description of these events as well as your medical records to a malpractice or injury attorney and see if the attorney thinks you have a claim; often you need to contact several attorneys to find one to take the case; the review of your case and records is often free and then they will normally take the case on a contingency fee basis if they think you can win; you would pay only if they collect for you.

Septodont Inc has concealed adverse effects and risk information about septocaine. See the FDA website. Note also the new label includes warnings of adverse effects that Septodont didn't warn about through the proper FDA laws. SEE an attorney quickly b/c the posting came out on 5-25-06 so that's when the info became available. In Calif there is a 2 year product liability and a 3 year fraud statute of limitations. B/c Septodont knew about this (See Dentistry Today Dec 2003 issue of test results of nerve block damage and permanent damage of paresthesias and taste perversion, etc), it is also fraud. The aggrieved party, that's you, has 3 years from date of discovery of the fraud to file a lawsuit. I too am suffering for over 4 years now and have facial disfigurement from septocaine. You are not alone and I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. There are too many of us. Contact the FDA immediately about your nerve damage (sounds like you had a nerve block possibly) and let's get septocaine off the market. God bless, keep, and guide us to victory against this dangerous drug and lead us to healing. In Jesus' name. Amen

I just posted a message. Here's more info:

Septodont knew of the nerve damage and paresthesias. For proof, see the Septodont application to United States Food and Drug Administration for approval of articaine local anesthetic (NDA 20-971) 1998; 256-259.

Dentistry Today 2003:22 (2):64-69 (not sure what issue this is but has review of paresthesia by JS Dower.

See also:
Clinical Research Associates (CRA) Newletter 2001;25(6)
and
Haas DA; Lennon D. A 21 year retrospective study of reports of paresthesia following local anesthetic administration. J Can Dent Assoc 1995;61(4):319-330

Hello Everyone,

I was injured by my dentist who used Septocaine for a lower mandibular nerve block for a root canal procedure. I was injected in July 07 and have a horrific paresthesia of my tongue, right side, with burning pain, numbness, tingling, stiffness, horrible taste sensations and more. It never lets up. This is absolute torture. I believe this drug should be banned. I complained to the FDA and wrote a letter to Septodont, the manufacturer of the drug. I never got a response from the FDA so I don't know if they've even considered my complaint. I'm thinking of sueing now. I was hoping I'd get better over time, but after 10 months with little or now relief I'm resigned to the permanency of this injury. Somehow we should all band together and get articaine taken off the market.

[sandra]

If you have lingual nerve damage from a dental anesthetic injection resulting in numbness or a painful neuropathy, I hope you find this information useful...

Lingual Nerve Injury from Anesthetic Injections

and...

Permanent nerve involvement resulting from inferior alveolar nerve blocks

If you have recently suffered an injectional lingual nerve damage, please find an experienced oral surgeon and nerve pain clinic, and let them help you decide how you want to proceed. There is not an established treatment protocol. Most (at least 85%) of these injuries resolve on their own, so most dentists just try to calm your fears and tell you that everything will be fine. They will be right at least 85% of the time. Most dentists do not know much else about this injury, and may not be able to provide any additional help. Those physicians and dentists that are members of The American Academy of Orofacial Pain have an interest in this area, and if they do not treat these types of conditions themselves, they may be able to refer to someone who does.

Hi Unregistered,

I live in northern California. I have been looking for a good law firm to represent me for a law suite. I was injured during a root canal procedure. My inferior lingual nerve was damaged.

Thank You

dewey

It's not the dentist office's fault. I'm sure the hygienist feels terrible as it is. No dentist/hygienist would ever do this on purpose. I wouldn't file suit on the office as these types of things happen. However, I would file a suit with the makers of the anesthetic

HI to all! I am one of those unfortunate people who got damaged with Septocaine injection in a lower left jaw before root canal initiation. Now I cant feel part of my lower jaw, part of my lip, feel pains - in the left side neck, around eye, in the ear. Feel burning all the time - like just was burned with hot water. It is very awful - I live like that since February 13 2009. It is not improving. I live in Toronto, Canada. I want to sue my dentist for that he used drug which is dangerous, didn't informed me about it, stick needle in my nerve, and also I want to sue manufacturer that is making this poison to cripple people.

Also I got confirmation today from another dentist ( he used to teach dentistry in University of Toronto) , that I got damage by the needle itself also. I remember it felt like lightening strike hit me when dentist give me injection. I am very good "pain handler", and not afraid of general pain at all. But everybody know that it is impossible for a humane being handle pain caused by touching or damaging live nerve ! I still remember that pain and I know for sure ( and confirmed it by a specialist ) that I was damaged by the injection itself and also by the drug ! Double damaging occurred ! I am very usual patient, have no disfigurements, no injuries to my jaws etc. I Just don't understand how is it possible to do anastesia for root canal by making 3 injections , one of which directly to the nerve - injecting this strong , poisonous medication in it - and probably killing part of the nerve with it. I feel bad about all of this and also feel very betrayed given the fact that my dentist denying any involvement in it ! He just told me today that nothing that he did in his office caused it to me and that I have atypical facial pain ! And what a coincidence - my mother had appointment for filling - and almost the same happened to her - but it almost go away now, but I still sick !

After 9 years in dentistry, I have yet to hear of this anesth causing this pain. My point: not EVERY doctor is aware of the cases you all are speaking of. If they've never persoanlly had a complaint from it, why would the doctor think anything is wrong to research it. Not every doctor is provided this research information. So if you go confronting a doctor about his practice and he is unaware of this problem, expect him to be protective and defensive. He is a doctor looking out for his license, which is his future. Best way to handle it, collect any information you find on this anesth, present it to your doctor and ask him to read it aqnd not use it on anyone else. He will more than likely listen to you at that point. It's not his fault for using it if he doesn't know. So why sue him? Go after the manufacturer, or even the supply company that the doctor gets his anesth from. If they are selling it to offices, then they should be aware of what they are selling and the side effects associtated. If you're looking for monetary compensation, you will get more and a better outcome by going after the maker and supplier....not the doctor!