How long do you have to make a medical negligence claim?
In many cases the standard limitation period is three years, but the point at which those three years begin can vary and important exceptions may apply.
Read guide →
Specialist claims
Dental Negligence & Nerve Damage Claims
Dental negligence can involve diagnosis, treatment planning, extraction, implant treatment, restorative work, infection management or consent. Claims involving nerve injury may arise where avoidable damage affects sensation, pain, taste or function following dental treatment.
SRA regulated solicitorsConfidential initial enquiryEvidence-led assessment
Quick check
Could this apply to you?
1
Inferior alveolar or lingual nerve damage
2
Nerve injury following extraction or implant treatment
3
Failure to identify relevant anatomical risks
Last updated 6 August 2026
Understanding the claim
What can amount to dental nerve damage?
A poor outcome alone does not prove negligence. The investigation considers what a reasonably competent healthcare professional should have done and whether any failure made a material difference to the outcome.
Inferior alveolar or lingual nerve damage
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Nerve injury following extraction or implant treatment
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Failure to identify relevant anatomical risks
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Poorly performed extraction or restorative work
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Failure to recognise or refer a nerve injury promptly
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Inadequate consent about material nerve-damage risks
This can justify investigation depending on the clinical circumstances, available evidence and harm caused.
Evidence
How a dental nerve damage claim may be investigated
Relevant evidence depends on the circumstances. Common sources include:
01
Dental records and radiographs
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
02
CBCT or other relevant imaging
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
03
Treatment and referral records
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
04
Independent dental, oral surgery or nerve injury expert evidence
The evidence is considered alongside the chronology and appropriate independent expert opinion.
The process
What happens after an initial enquiry
- 01
Initial enquiry
Tell us what happened, when the treatment took place and how you were affected.
- 02
Early assessment
The key facts, limitation position and whether further investigation may be appropriate are considered.
- 03
Records & evidence
Relevant medical records, chronology and evidence of any financial losses may be obtained.
- 04
Expert review
Appropriate independent experts may address breach of duty, causation, condition and prognosis.
- 05
Claim & negotiation
Where the evidence supports a claim, the relevant defendant can be notified and liability or settlement discussed.
- 06
Resolution
The matter may conclude by agreement or, where necessary, through the court process.
Compensation
What can compensation take into account?
There is no reliable generic calculator for medical negligence. Where liability is established, compensation can reflect the individual injury and financial consequences supported by evidence.
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Past and future loss of earnings
- Care and assistance
- Rehabilitation and treatment
- Equipment, travel or accommodation needs
- Other reasonable losses caused by the injury
Start an enquiry
Tell us what happened.
Questions answered
Dental Nerve Damage FAQs
Can nerve damage after dental treatment be negligent?
Potentially. Some nerve injuries are recognised complications even with appropriate care, so the investigation considers treatment planning, technique, consent and whether the injury could reasonably have been avoided or managed differently.
What symptoms can follow dental nerve damage?
Symptoms can include numbness, altered sensation, tingling, neuropathic pain or changes affecting the tongue, lip, chin or taste, depending on the nerve involved.
Related guidance
Useful medical negligence guides
How medical negligence claims work
A plain-English overview of breach of duty, causation, medical records, expert evidence and the main stages of a claim.
Read guide →
Can you claim for an A&E misdiagnosis?
Key considerations where emergency care failed to recognise, investigate or appropriately respond to a serious condition.
Read guide →Free initial enquiry
Talk to us about a potential dental nerve damage claim.
Tell us what happened and our team can explain the next steps.