What to Do After a Dental Injury

1. Get Evaluated, Especially for Anything Urgent

Your health comes first. Spreading swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or heavy bleeding are emergencies — go to an emergency room. For non-emergency symptoms like persistent numbness or ongoing pain, see a dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or endodontist for an independent evaluation, ideally one not affiliated with the original treating dentist.

2. Write Down What Happened While It's Fresh

Note dates, what was done, what you were told before and after treatment, and how your symptoms have progressed. Specific, contemporaneous notes are more useful later than a recollection reconstructed months afterward.

3. Request Your Dental Records

You're generally entitled to a copy of your own dental records, including chart notes, X-rays or CBCT imaging, and treatment plans. Requesting them promptly, in writing, helps ensure they're available for review later.

4. Understand Your Deadlines

California imposes specific, relatively short deadlines on dental malpractice claims. See California's statute of limitations for details — and don't wait until close to a deadline to start gathering records or seeking a review.

5. Get an Independent Records Review

A qualified dental expert or attorney can review your records to assess whether the care you received fell below the standard of care. This is generally a necessary step before knowing whether a claim is viable — see can I sue my dentist for what that evaluation typically involves.