The failure to diagnose periodontal disease is serious

Going to the dentist is something that most Pittsburgh residents do twice a year. Dentists provide a service to keep teeth in good shape and to help treat cavities and diagnosing gum disease when it’s still in its early stages. When a dentist fails to diagnose periodontal disease early in a patient the patient can wind up with more serious dental issues and a worsened condition.

Many adults in the United States have some kind of gum disease. When this is not properly evaluated and treated by a dentist in a timely way it can lead to periodontal disease. If it is treated early by mouth rinses, proper cleaning by a dentist and periodic checkups it can be treated. But if it is not diagnosed and not treated there are many problems that can arise. These include pain when chewing, loose teeth, swollen gums, bad breath and infections. This can lead to thousands of dollars of work that needs to be done for the patient along with pain and suffering.

If people believe their dentist was negligent in diagnosing their dental issues they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in medical malpractice. An attorney can review the dental records, consult with dental experts and determine what happened to cause the serious issues the patient is now facing. If the dentist was negligent in their care to the patient, compensation may be available for medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.

Although people may not expect a dentist can be guilty of medical malpractice they also have a duty to patients to provide thorough care. When they have been found to be negligent, patients have the legal right to hold them responsible.

Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “Periodontal (gum) disease: Causes, symptoms, and treatments,” accessed on Dec. 28, 2015