Dental Law - What You Need To Know

A summary of what every dental practice owner should know and implement in the day to day operations of their practice.

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dentalattorney

Endodontic Risk Management: Protecting Your Practice and Your Patients

Endodontic procedures, such as root canals and surgical interventions, are highly technical and can carry significant risks. Even routine treatments can result in complications that may lead to patient dissatisfaction, board complaints, or malpractice claims.

By understanding the most common risks and implementing best practices, endodontists can reduce liability and strengthen patient trust.

Top 5 Endodontic Procedure Risks

1. Instrument Separation (Broken Files)

    
• Risk: Endodontic files may fracture inside a canal, potentially compromising treatment.
    
• Best Practices:
    
• Disclose the risk clearly during informed consent.
    
• Use the latest technology and follow proper torque and technique guidelines.
    
• Document all efforts to retrieve or bypass separated instruments.

2. Missed or Undetected Canals

    
• Risk: Failure to locate all canals can result in persistent infection or retreatment.
    
• Best Practices:
    
• Conduct thorough preoperative imaging (e.g., CBCT scans).
    
• Use magnification and proper illumination to identify all canals.
    
• Include missed canal risk in consent discussions.

3. Perforation of Tooth Structure or Root

    
• Risk: Accidental perforation can compromise tooth integrity and may necessitate extraction.
    
• Best Practices:
    
• Use careful planning and follow technique-specific guidelines.
    
• Document preventive steps and any occurrences of perforation in the patient record.
    
• Discuss this potential complication with patients beforehand.

4. Post-Operative Infection or Pain

    
• Risk: Even successful procedures may result in temporary or persistent infection or discomfort.
    
• Best Practices:
    
• Provide clear post-op instructions and pain management guidance.
    
• Advise patients on warning signs that require immediate follow-up.
    
• Document patient communication and care instructions.

5. Treatment Failure or Need for Retreatment

    
• Risk: Retreatment may be necessary if initial therapy fails due to infection, complex anatomy, or patient factors.
    
• Best Practices:
    
• Explain prognosis, success rates, and potential retreatment during informed consent.
    
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation of all treatments, rationale, and patient discussions.
    
• Schedule appropriate follow-up appointments to monitor healing.

Key Takeaways for Endodontic Practices

    
• Use procedure-specific informed consent forms that detail risks, alternatives, and expected outcomes.
    
• Maintain meticulous documentation of patient discussions, treatment planning, and post-op care.
    
• Regularly review and update protocols in line with current endodontic standards.
    
• Train staff on communication and documentation best practices to ensure consistency.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing these top risks not only protects your patients but also safeguards your practice against malpractice claims, board complaints, and reputational harm.

At Oberman Law Firm, we provide dental clients with customized risk management solutions, including consent form development, policy reviews, and guidance on documentation standards.

Protect your practice today—document, disclose, and communicate every step of the way.