Minneapolis Dental Malpractice Attorneys — Because Complications and Negligence Are Not the Same Thing
Not every difficult outcome after a dental procedure is malpractice. But nerve damage, missed diagnoses, failed procedures, and improper care often are — and Minnesota law gives you the right to hold a negligent dentist accountable. We have spent more than three decades evaluating exactly these cases, and we will tell you honestly what yours is worth pursuing.
When a Dental Procedure Goes Wrong, You Deserve a Straight Answer
Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist or oral surgeon fails to meet the accepted professional standard of care — and that failure causes you harm. The challenge most patients face is that dental offices rarely volunteer an explanation, records can be difficult to obtain, and it is genuinely hard to know whether what happened to you was an unavoidable complication or something that should never have occurred.
That distinction is exactly what we assess during a free case evaluation. As dental malpractice attorneys serving clients across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota, we have the experience to review your records, consult with qualified experts, and give you a clear picture of where your case stands — before you commit to anything.
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Types of Dental Malpractice We Handle
Dental negligence takes many forms. The cases we see most frequently involve:
- Nerve damage from extractions, implants, or injections — injuries to the lingual nerve or inferior alveolar nerve that cause permanent numbness, pain, or altered sensation in the tongue, lip, or chin
- Improper anesthesia administration — dosing errors, failure to monitor, or inadequate assessment of patient history
- Failure to diagnose oral cancer or periodontal disease — delayed diagnosis that allows a treatable condition to progress
- Failed root canals — incomplete treatment, missed canals, or perforations that cause ongoing infection or injury
- Incorrectly fitted crowns, bridges, or implants — restorative work that causes bite misalignment, bone loss, or structural damage
- Infection from inadequate sterilization — preventable infections resulting from failure to follow standard infection control protocols
- Unnecessary or unauthorized procedures — treatment performed without informed consent or clinical justification
If your situation involves any of these, or something not listed here, contact us. Dental malpractice cases are fact-specific, and a brief conversation is often all it takes to determine whether you have a viable claim.
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Lingual and Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries: The Most Serious Dental Malpractice Cases
Among all dental malpractice injury types, nerve injuries carry the highest severity — and they are among the most underrepresented in legal practice despite significant demand from injured patients. When a dentist severs, stretches, or compresses the lingual nerve or inferior alveolar nerve during a tooth extraction, implant placement, or injection, the resulting damage can be permanent.
Patients with these injuries often experience chronic numbness or tingling in the tongue, lip, or chin. Some experience persistent pain. Many are told the sensation will return on its own — and for some it does, but for others it does not. If you are months past your procedure and the numbness has not resolved, that is a serious medical and legal matter.
Minnesota courts recognize lingual and inferior alveolar nerve injuries as among the most compensable dental malpractice claims. These cases require expert review and careful documentation, both of which we coordinate as part of our representation. If a dental procedure left you with lasting nerve damage, we want to hear from you.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Recover Compensation
What Minnesota Law Requires in a Dental Malpractice Case
- Standard of care: Your attorney must demonstrate that your dentist deviated from the level of care a reasonably competent dental professional would have provided under the same circumstances.
- Expert review: Minnesota law requires that a qualified dental expert review your case and attest that a deviation from the standard of care occurred. We coordinate this review as part of our case evaluation process.
- Certificate of merit: At the time of filing, Minnesota requires a certificate affirming that expert review has taken place and supports the claim.
- Statute of limitations: In most cases, you have four years from the date of the negligent act to file a dental malpractice claim in Minnesota. Waiting too long can permanently bar your right to recover — so early consultation matters.
- Evidence preservation: Your dental records, X-rays, billing records, and any photographs taken before and after treatment are critical. Minnesota patients have a legal right to request their complete records, and we assist clients in obtaining full disclosure from the outset.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Malpractice in Minnesota
Can I sue my dentist in Minnesota for nerve damage after a tooth extraction or implant?
Yes. Nerve injuries to the lingual or inferior alveolar nerve are among the most legally significant dental malpractice claims in Minnesota. If your dentist's technique deviated from the accepted standard of care and caused your nerve injury, you may have a viable claim. The key is establishing that the damage resulted from negligence rather than an unavoidable anatomical complication — which is precisely what expert review determines.How do I know if what happened to me was malpractice or just a bad outcome?
Not every difficult result after a dental procedure is malpractice. Dentistry involves inherent risk, and some complications occur even when a dentist performs correctly. Malpractice requires demonstrating a specific deviation from the professional standard of care. We evaluate this distinction during a free consultation — reviewing your records, your treatment history, and the facts of what occurred — and we give you an honest assessment of whether your situation meets the legal threshold.How do I get my dental records if the office is being uncooperative?
Minnesota law gives patients the right to access their complete dental records, including X-rays, treatment notes, and billing records. If a dental office is slow to respond or refuses to provide records, there are formal legal mechanisms to compel disclosure. We assist clients with this process from the beginning of our representation — your records belong to you, and obtaining them is one of the first steps in building your case.What evidence should I preserve if I think I have a dental malpractice claim?
Preserve everything you have: any records or receipts from the dental office, before-and-after photographs if you have them, written communications with the practice, and documentation of any follow-up treatment you sought. Request a second opinion from another dentist and ask that provider to document their findings in writing. Keep a written account of your symptoms, how they have changed over time, and how they have affected your daily life. The earlier you begin preserving this information, the stronger your evidentiary foundation.How long does a dental malpractice case take in Minnesota?
The timeline varies based on the complexity of the injury, the clarity of the standard-of-care deviation, and whether the case resolves through negotiation or proceeds to trial. Most dental malpractice cases involve an initial expert review period, a pre-litigation demand or filing phase, and either a negotiated resolution or litigation. Cases that settle can resolve in twelve to twenty-four months. Cases that go to trial take longer. We are willing to take cases all the way through trial when that is what achieving a fair result requires — and that willingness often strengthens our position in settlement negotiations.
Thirty-Two Years of Courtroom Experience Behind Every Case We Take
Pattee, Tewksbury & Kerfeld has represented injured clients across Minnesota and the upper Midwest since 1994. Our attorneys handle both plaintiff and defense work in civil litigation — a dual-practice model that gives us direct insight into how insurers and defense counsel evaluate claims, and how to build cases that hold up under that scrutiny.
Dental malpractice is our primary malpractice focus. We take a limited number of cases so we can give each one the attention it requires. If you have been injured by a dentist's negligence — whether through a nerve injury, a missed diagnosis, a failed procedure, or something else — we encourage you to contact us for a free evaluation. There is no cost to find out where you stand.