Dental Nerve Damage Claims

Although dental treatments are often unpleasant, they are usually painless and carry minimal risks. However, dentists can make mistakes, which can sometimes cause damage to the dental nerves and may lead to a successful dental nerve damage compensation claim.

If you have suffered avoidable harm as a result of dental negligence, our team of specialist solicitors are here to help. They will offer you a free case assessment and will represent you on a No Win No Fee basis if you are eligible to make a claim.

To find out if you can claim compensation for dental negligence, call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back.

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• Can I make a dental nerve damage compensation claim?
• What is a dental nerve injury?
• Signs and symptoms of dental nerve damage
• What types of negligence could lead to a dental nerve damage claim?
• How can a dental nerve injury impact your life?
• Can I claim against a dentist if I signed a consent form?
• What evidence do I need to claim compensation for nerve damage?
• Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one?
• How long do I have to start a dental nerve injury claim?
• How much compensation can I claim for dental nerve damage?
• Will I be able to claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
• Speak to a specialist dental negligence solicitor today!

Can I make a dental nerve damage compensation claim?

We understand how distressing it can be to suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligence, especially when the person responsible is a dentist or other healthcare professional.

Our team of friendly legal advisers would be happy to offer you a free consultation and assess whether you are entitled to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. As a general rule, you would be able to proceed with a dental negligence claim if the following can be proven:

• A duty of care – this duty exists and applies as soon as you seek medical attention as a patient, and means that your dentist must provide a reasonable standard of care and treatment.
• A breach of duty – this occurs when you receive substandard care, which could involve various types of dental negligence, such as using excessive force during a tooth extraction.
• Causation – this means establishing a direct link between the dental negligence and the harm you suffered.
• Damages – these refer to the losses incurred due to the negligent care, such as physical pain and out-of-pocket expenses.

If all these apply to your case and can be supported by evidence, you will be paired with an experienced dental negligence solicitor who will guide you through the entire claims process.

Try our claim assessment form to see if you may have a valid claim:

What is a dental nerve injury?

A dental nerve injury refers to damage to one or more of the nerves in the mouth, jaw or face that can occur as a result of a dental treatment, such as:

• Tooth extraction – the roots of teeth, particularly wisdom teeth, are in close proximity to major dental nerves that could be damaged during extraction.
• Dental implants – an implant treatment involves drilling into the jawbone, which, if not done carefully, could result in a direct nerve injury.
• Root canal treatments – endodontic treatment is a procedure used to repair and save a badly damaged tooth, which can irritate and even damage a nerve if done negligently.
• Injections of local anaesthesia – this can cause damage if the needle directly touches a nerve or too much pressure is used.
• Surgical procedures – dental nerves could be negligently cut, bruised or injured during negligent oral surgery.
• Fillings – poorly placed fillings, especially if a cavity is deep, can cause irritation or damage to the nerve.

If you have suffered avoidable nerve damage following any type of dental procedure, our team of medical negligence solicitors can help you make a dental nerve damage claim.

Signs and symptoms of dental nerve damage

Dental nerve damage can manifest in a variety of ways, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms include:

• Numbness or loss of sensation in the affected area, such as the lips, chin, tongue or gums
• A tingling or burning sensation (pins and needles)
• Pain, which can be described as sharp, dull or shooting and can be constant or triggered by stimuli
• Increased sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli
• Reduced or loss of taste
• Drooling due to inability to control salivation
• Difficulty speaking, eating, drinking or moving the tongue normally
• Weakness or difficulty moving specific facial muscles

These symptoms can be temporary or permanent, depending on the type and severity of the nerve damage, and can significantly impact your life. If they are caused by medical negligence, you are entitled to make a dental nerve injury compensation claim.

What types of negligence could lead to a dental nerve damage claim?

Various types of negligence from dentists could lead to a successful claim for dental nerve damage, including:

• Using too much force or improper technique when pulling a tooth
• Failing to diagnose a dental issue, which can lead to infections and nerve damage
• Placing an implant to close or directly on a nerve
• Overfilling during root canal treatment
• Injecting an anaesthetic into or too close to a nerve
• Lack of informed consent before carrying out a procedure with a risk of nerve damage
• Failure to diagnose or treat complications of dental procedures
• Mistakes during surgery due to poor technique or the use of inadequate instruments
• Failing to identify and protect nerves using X-rays or CT scans

These and other types of substandard care during dental treatment can result in nerve damage and various long-term or permanent consequences, as detailed in the section below.

How can a dental nerve injury impact your life?

Negligent dental treatment can result in various types of dental nerve injuries, including:

• Pulpal nerve injury – damage to the nerve within the tooth itself, can be due to deep fillings or root canals.
• Lingual nerve injury – this nerve is a branch of the trigeminal nerve that innervates the tongue and floor of the mouth and can be damaged by implants or oral surgery.
• Buccal nerve injury – it provides sensation to the cheeks and part of the gums, and can be injured by anaesthetic injections or tooth extraction.
• Inferior alveolar nerve injury – it runs through the lower jaw and provides sensation to the lower lip, teeth and chin, and can be damaged by implants, tooth extraction or surgery.

Damage to any of these nerves can result in a wide range of consequences, including:

• Physical symptoms – including loss of sensation, pain, altered taste, tingling, burning sensations, or muscle weakness. These symptoms may be temporary or permanent.
• Emotional and psychological trauma – the persistent pain, numbness and other physical symptoms can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and reduced trust in dentists.
• Functional limitations – you may have trouble eating, speaking or drinking.
• Long-term needs – you may require long-term medication such as pain relief or antidepressants, ongoing physical therapy or even surgical intervention.
• Financial impact – you may incur various expenses related to medication and further treatment, or loss of earnings from taking time off work to recover.

Your solicitor will take all of these factors into account, both current and future, to ensure you are fully compensated for the losses caused by the negligent dental treatment.

Can I claim against a dentist if I signed a consent form?

Yes, you can potentially make a claim for dental negligence even if you signed a waiver. A consent form typically exists to acknowledge that you were informed about the risks of a procedure and that you agree to proceed.

However, it does not absolve a dentist of negligence. If they failed to meet the expected standard of care and this caused your nerve damage, you would still be entitled to compensation.

For example, if your dentist used excessive force during a tooth extraction and this resulted in a nerve injury, you may have grounds for a claim. In this case, the outcome could be considered negligence rather than an accepted risk of the procedure.

What evidence do I need to claim compensation for nerve damage?

To claim compensation for dental nerve damage, you will need various types of evidence to prove how your injury occurred and how it has affected your life. This could include:

• Your dental records, including doctor’s notes, X-rays and consent forms
• Medical records that show the type and extent of the injury you suffered, the treatments received and any ongoing issues
• An independent medical report from a specialist who can confirm that your dentist breached their duty of care towards you
• Statements from anyone who witnessed the procedure or its aftermath, such as friends and family
• Your own detailed testimony about the symptoms you experienced and how they have affected your daily life
• Evidence of financial losses and expenses, such as receipts for prescriptions or travel expenses to medical appointments

Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one?

Yes, it is possible to make a claim on behalf of a loved one who cannot manage their own legal affairs. This could be a child under 18 or an adult who is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 due to an injury, illness or disability.

To claim compensation for your loved one, you must first apply to the court to be named as their litigation friend. This involves filing a certificate of suitability, proving that you can make fair and competent decisions throughout the process, and that there are no conflicts of interest between you.

Read More: What is a litigation friend?

How long do I have to start a dental nerve injury claim?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years to start a claim from the date the negligence occurred or the date you first became aware of it (the date of knowledge). Once this period expires, your case will be time-barred and no longer valid.

There are a few exceptions to the three-year time limit for making a dental nerve damage claim:

• If the injured party is under 18, a parent or legal guardian can make a claim on behalf of a child at any time, regardless of when the negligence occurred. If no claim is made, the child has until 21 to seek compensation themselves once they turn 18.
• If the claimant lacks the mental capacity to handle a claim, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend can represent them without any time limit.

To improve your chances of making a successful claim, it is recommended to seek legal advice as soon as possible. That will give your solicitor better access to evidence and will help them build a strong case.

How much compensation can I claim for dental nerve damage?

The compensation payment awarded for a dental nerve injury is calculated on a case-by-case basis by considering two types of damages:

• General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the damage to the dental nerve. This takes into account physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on hobbies and daily activities.
• Special damages cover any financial losses and expenses related to the injury, such as prescription medications, private dental treatments, loss of earnings, and travel expenses.

While special damages are based on evidence such as receipts and invoices, general damages are more challenging to calculate. These are based on the severity of the nerve damage and its long-term impact on your life.

Our injury compensation calculator can provide you with an estimate of how much compensation you could be entitled to claim by answering a few simple questions.

Will I be able to claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you have grounds to make a dental negligence claim, the solicitors we work with will represent you under a no win no fee agreement. That means you do not have to worry about upfront fees, and you can hire legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

Under this service, you only pay your solicitor if your claim is successful. If you win, they will be entitled to a success fee, which is deducted from your compensation award and capped at 25%. If you lose your claim, you won’t have to pay them a penny.

Read More: How does no win no fee work?

Speak to a specialist dental negligence solicitor today!

If you’re considering making a dental nerve damage compensation claim, contact us as soon as possible for a free assessment of your case. If you are eligible to proceed, we will pair you with an expert solicitor, who will:

• Offer you legal advice and support throughout the claims process
• Help you gather supporting evidence
• Offer you a 100% no win no fee service
• Handle all communication with the defendant on your behalf
• Negotiate the maximum compensation you are entitled to

To start your dental nerve damage claim today, call free on 0800 470 0474 or use our contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 8th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.