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What Causes Jaw Numbness After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Is it normal to have severe jaw numbness after wisdom teeth removal? I already contacted my oral surgeon and dentist. It will be two weeks since I got the surgery. The oral surgeon did sensation tests and asked me to return in two weeks. I notice the sensation most when I eat, chew, or brush my teeth. Because of this, I canceled my in-office teeth whitening and the beginning date for braces. Will I be stuck like this? – Thanks. Dakota

Hi, Dakota,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Delaune’s office in Metairie regarding jaw numbness after wisdom teeth removal.

What Causes Jaw Numbness After Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Nerve damage causing lingering jaw numbness after wisdom teeth removal. Most surgeons evaluate the risk of nerve damage during surgery. The nerve that travels to your lower teeth, chin, and lower lip is close to the roots of your lower wisdom teeth.

Is Jaw Numbness After Wisdom Teeth Removal Permanent?

How long jaw numbness lasts can depend on the type of nerve damage. Below are the classifications and what to expect:

  • Bruising – You will feel numbness for about a month, after which the feeling will return progressively.
  • Crushing – You will feel numbness for a year as the nerve grows new fibers.
  • Severing – A severed nerve will not regrow, and the damage is permanent.

What Can You Expect?

If you have nerve damage, expect it to last at least a month. You may not feel improvement before your follow-up appointment with the oral surgeon.

As the nerve recovers, you will feel lip tingling first and gradual improvement. Meanwhile, patiently wait for the nerve to heal.

Talk to your dentist about rescheduling your teeth whitening treatment. Your orthodontist will consult with the oral surgeon to assess your recovery and when it is safe to begin treatment.

 

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Did Wisdom Teeth Removal Give Me TMJ?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Woman with a hand on her jaw, perhaps needing a TMJ dentistEarlier this month, I had two impacted wisdom teeth removed, and I wonder if something about the procedure gave me TMJ. It’s been three weeks since my oral surgery, and the right side of my face, where the teeth were extracted, is still numb. It hurts when I try to open my mouth wide, and I have numbness on the side of my tongue. I called the oral surgeon’s office, and the receptionist quickly responded and said it takes time for the nerves to heal. I am still uncomfortable with the receptionist’s answer because she didn’t offer to ask the oral surgeon to return my call. She answered me too quickly. Before I call the office again, is the receptionist correct? Should I be concerned? Are any of my symptoms related to TMJ? Thank you. Joan from Colorado

Joan,

Thank you for your question.

Your lingual (tongue) nerve is near wisdom teeth; sometimes, it travels on top of wisdom teeth. It might be difficult or impossible for the most careful dentists or oral surgeons to avoid touching or damaging the nerve during impacted wisdom teeth extraction. The symptoms you describe are related to the nerves near wisdom teeth, not temporomandibular joint (TMJ) concerns.

After Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction, When Will the Nerve Heal?

When and if the nerve will heal after wisdom teeth removal depends on several factors:

  • Extent of damage – A bruised or stretched nerve could take a month or two to heal. A cut nerve is unlikely to mend, but some growth may occur over time. Expect a year or more of recovery time for a crushed nerve.
  • Sensation in your tongue – If your tongue feels numb and tingly, it may be that the nerve is repairing itself.
  • Inability to open your mouth – Swelling during the healing process can prevent you from opening your mouth. If the swelling does not improve or gets worse, you might have an infection in your muscle tissue, limiting how wide you can open your mouth. Your oral surgeon may prescribe antibiotics.
  • Microsurgery – Although nerve repair surgery is complicated, at times, it is possible. You can ask your oral surgeon if it is an option.

Although you spoke with a receptionist, call the office again and ask to talk with the oral surgeon, leave a message for him to return your call, or schedule a follow-up appointment. The surgeon will have more insight into your treatment options.

Metairie, Louisiana dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Can a Dentist Who Sees Emergency Patients Help with Wisdom Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I know wisdom teeth can be complicated, especially if they are impacted, but if a dentist who sees emergency patients can help, I think I should go. I’ve had issues on and off with all 4 wisdom teeth, but now pain in the lower teeth is intense. Last month, I started whitening my teeth, and I think that the bleaching gel irritated the gums around my wisdom teeth. I stopped using the gel last week. My gums are swollen, and although I am not chewing on the wisdom teeth, eating is painful. I had plans for a long weekend and wonder if a dentist would see me right away and help or if I needed just to skip that and call an oral surgeon to get the teeth pulled. – Grayson from NY

Grayson,

Thank you for your question.

It is good that you discontinued teeth whitening because the gel can irritate already inflamed gums.

Can a Dentist Who Sees Emergency Patients Help with Wisdom Teeth?

Hands placing teeth bleaching gel in custom trays

Discontinue teeth whitening on irritated wisdom teeth

A dentist who accepts emergency visits can temporarily relieve or decrease your wisdom teeth pain, but they will not perform surgery during your appointment. Still, seeing a dentist right away is wise. Your pain and swelling are signs of an infection that a dentist must treat.

After relieving your pain, the dentist will x-ray your teeth and determine what treatment you need. Otherwise, the dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for teeth removal. Some dentists have advanced oral surgery training and experience.

Why Get Wisdom Removed?

You should consider getting wisdom teeth removed when x-rays show they can not erupt entirely and affect your long-term oral health. Wisdom teeth can be complex when they are impacted and will not emerge. Impacted wisdom teeth can become irritated and form a cyst on the jawbone or damage the roots of nearby teeth.

When impacted wisdom teeth push neighboring teeth out of alignment, it creates the need for orthodontic treatment. Partially erupted wisdom teeth also cause pain, swelling, and irritation. They become difficult to clean and can breed bacteria that lead to infection in your gums, bone, and neighboring teeth. A dentist with surgical expertise or an oral surgeon will recommend treatment.

 

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.