Oral Surgery Expert Witnesses
The insight attorneys need in cases involving surgical errors and oral injuries
Oral surgery is a specialty within dentistry that focuses on surgical procedures involving the mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, and surrounding tissues in the head and neck. Oral surgeons are dentists with advanced training in surgical techniques and related diagnosis and treatment.
In the United States, oral surgeons must complete a dental degree (DMD or DDS), followed by a four- to six-year residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This residency includes advanced training in oral surgery techniques and diagnosing and treating oral and maxillofacial disorders. Board Certification for oral surgeons is administered by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
Some of the procedures oral surgeons perform include:
- Tooth extraction, including wisdom teeth removal
- Dental implant placement
- Corrective jaw surgery to resolve problems such as malocclusion
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder treatment
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Biopsy and removal of oral tumors or cysts
- Facial trauma treatment
- Sleep apnea treatment
The role of an oral surgeon as an expert witness
Many types of incidents can cause injuries to the mouth or jaw, including car crashes, falls, and assaults due to negligent security. An oral surgeon can offer valuable testimony in a personal injury matter by examining medical records and offering an opinion on causation. An oral surgeon can also testify regarding the cost of surgical repair of those injuries and the plaintiff’s long-term outlook.
In medical malpractice cases involving surgical errors and other oral surgery malpractice, a Board-Certified oral surgeon can explain the applicable standard of care and whether the defendant oral surgeon met or breached that standard. Oral surgeons can also explain whether prompt surgical intervention could have led to a better patient outcome.
We can provide the right expert witness for your case
Injuries to the mouth, jaw, and teeth can have dramatic consequences for a person’s quality of life, which means legal matters involving such injuries have high stakes. The Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants network includes Board-Certified, highly qualified oral surgeons who are prepared for both consultation and deposition or trial testimony. Contact us today for a free case summary review.