How much is a smile worth? For a pop star, millions.

Country music star LeAnn Rimes is suing her dentist over treatment he provided her for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ). Rimes sought treatment for pain related to TMJ as well as for cosmetic improvements. After undergoing extensive procedures, including nine root canals, a bridge and bone grafting, Rimes allegedly continues to suffer pain and permanent cosmetic damage.

Rimes contends that her dental work and the resulting injuries have hindered her ability to perform and have negatively impacted her career. She is suing her dentist for emotional, physical, and psychiatric injuries she has allegedly suffered over the past three years.

While injuries suffered at the hands of physicians make up most medical malpractice claims, patients think less frequently about filing malpractice claims against dentists. Yet, dental procedures performed negligently can result in permanent nerve damage, facial paralysis, and chronic pain. These injuries often exact a physical and emotional toll on patients.

To prove a dental malpractice case, a patient must prove that the dentist committed an error, whether intentionally or not, that other dentists would not have committed. The most common causes of dental malpractice are:

• Causing injury to the oral cavity and surrounding bone structure
• Failing to detect oral disease or malformation
• Using defective products
• Improperly using dental utensils
• Performing unnecessary procedures
• Misusing analgesics, anesthetics, and sedatives
• Performing procedures that exceed the scope of the patient consent

Only time will tell if LeAnn Rimes is able to prove her case. A knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help evaluate your claim if you’ve suffered injury as a result of a dental error.