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Periodontal disease, also commonly known as gum disease, is a condition that can have serious consequences for your oral and general health. According to research, up to around 90% of people suffer from this condition to some degree. If periodontal disease is allowed to progress, it can result in receding gums and even tooth loss. It isn’t just oral health than can be affected by periodontal disease; studies also link this condition to diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and obesity.
Regular visits to the dentist should help to catch periodontal disease in its early stages and a treatment plan can be agreed. If the condition is caught in its early stages then it can usually be reversed. However, if the dentist doesn’t correctly diagnose the condition and it is allowed to progress and worsen to the point where the patient suffers or is further injured as a result, this may be considered dental negligence.
Delayed diagnosis for periodontal disease can cause permanent damage to your teeth, gums and jaw, which is why you might be eligible for compensation if your dentist’s negligence meant that you weren’t given appropriate treatment and advice early enough.
Find out more about periodontal disease and making a compensation claim if you have experienced dental negligence.
Periodontal disease is a fairly common condition that affects the tissues around your teeth and can have serious consequences if it is allowed to progress unchecked. It can usually be prevented with a combination of practicing good oral hygiene, frequent brushing of teeth and regular visits to the dentist and dental hygienist.
A delayed diagnosis of periodontal disease that results in avoidable injury and suffering is one way in which your dentist might be negligent in your care. Another way they could be negligent is if they diagnose the condition but fail to refer you for specialist treatment if your condition has advanced. They may also be considered negligent if they fail to give you suitable advice and guidance on how you can stop any further progression of periodontal disease and how to best manage the condition, which results in the disease getting worse.
If you’re unsure about whether or not you have experienced dental negligence, you can find out by speaking to one of our experienced claim team, for free, no-obligation advice. Call on 0808 302 5430.
Whilst periodontal disease in its early stages is usually reversible, if it is not diagnosed and treated early enough, the condition can progress to the point where you experience permanent damage like receding gums. If your gums recede, this exposes more of the tooth to harmful bacteria and plaque, and damage can be caused to the bone structure and ligaments that hold teeth in place. Eventually, it can result in mobile teeth or even tooth loss.
Losing teeth due to periodontal disease can be devastating. It can have a permanent impact on how your gums and teeth look and feel. Once periodontal disease gets to the point where damage is being done to your teeth and gums, your teeth may become mobile. This condition can lead to a situation where there is no alternative but to have teeth extracted.
You might then require treatment such as implants or a bridge to restore the appearance of your teeth, which isn’t always possible, depending on the circumstances.
If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to experience major issues or permanent damage. If your condition is currently in the early stages, known as gingivitis, introducing a new and improved dental hygiene routine could reverse any damage and stop further issues. Speak to your dentist to put this into action as quickly as possible.
However, if you have been diagnosed with the more serious periodontitis, which can result in significant issues with your teeth and gums; even tooth loss, you need to discuss treatment options with your dentist as soon as possible to minimise the amount of permanent damage done.
If you have been visiting your dentist regularly and the diagnosis of periodontitis comes out of the blue, it might be that your dentist has been negligent in not spotting the early signs of the disease. If you suffer as a result of your dentist’s lack of care, you might be due compensation. Get in touch with us for more information or to discuss your options. Call us on 0808 159 1215.
The Dental Law Partnership work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. This means that if your claim is not successful, you don’t pay any legal fees whatsoever. We believe that the cost of a dental negligence claim shouldn’t be a barrier to justice or for clients seeking fair compensation for what has happened to them because of the negligent act of someone that was trusted with their care.
