title: Medico-legal aspects of altered sensation following endodontic treatment: a retrospective case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to analyze cases of liability claims related to persistent altered sensation following endodontic treatments so as to characterize the medico-legal aspects of this complication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of an Israeli professional liability insurance database was conducted to retrospectively identify and analyze cases of persistent altered sensation following endodontic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen claims of persistent altered sensation following endodontic treatments were identified and analyzed. The typical profile of a claim was a female patient who underwent an endodontic treatment at a second mandibular molar, which was associated with overfilling. A significant correlation between the tooth location and the suggested cause of nerve injury was found. None of the claims were reported by the practitioners, and all cases were identified as a result of the patient's demand for financial compensation, either directly or by legal actions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When a nerve injury is diagnosed, the treating practitioner should be encouraged to seek medical and legal assistance so as to prevent permanent damage and to enable a better medico-legal response.
authors: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Navot
authors: N
authors: Givol
authors: Eyal
authors: E
authors: Rosen
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Bjørndal
authors: Silvio
authors: S
authors: Taschieri
authors: Ronen
authors: R
authors: Ofec
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Tsesis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D003815:Dentists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000009:adverse effects; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants