On March 13, 2015, plaintiff Veronica Ceja, 38, a house cleaner, underwent a tooth extraction for an impacted tooth. The procedure was performed by Dr. John Choi, an oral surgeon at Bright Now Dental – Mission Viejo. During the extraction, Ceja’s inferior alveolar nerve was severed. Ceja sued Choi and the operator of Bright Now Dental – Mission Viejo, Sahawneh Dental Corp. Ceja claimed that Choi was negligent in the performance of the surgery and in the rendering of after care. She also claimed that Choi was negligent for failing to obtain her proper informed consent and that Choi’s negligence constituted medical malpractice. Ceja further claimed that Sahawneh Dental was liable for Choi’s actions. The plaintiff’s oral surgeon opined that the extraction was below the standard of care. Defense counsel contended that Ceja consented to the surgery and that Choi did not breach the standard of care. The defense’s maxillofacial surgery expert opined that the consent form was sufficient and that there was no breach of the standard of care., Ceja’s inferior alveolar nerve was severed during the oral surgery. She claimed that as a result, she noticed numbness within two days post-extraction. However, she did not attempt any treatment or therapy, and did not have any post-extraction care. Ceja claimed that she now experiences permanent numbness in her right, lower jaw; lip; and chin. Thus, Ceja sought recovery of $1,295 in past medical costs for group session psychological therapy. She also sought recovery of damages for her past and future pain and suffering.