Any dentists here?

[DentalConcerns]

Hello,

I had a lingual frenectomy two days ago. My tongue is still numb and tingly. I am also really struggling to speak. This wasn’t explained to me as a potential side effect and I can’t find anything online about loss of speech after the procedure (if any MNetters could I’d be grateful!).

I am slightly worried there is some nerve damage. Would be very comforted if anyone could offer insight as my dentist is closed until Monday.

Thank you!

Bumping just in case anyone in the know is online

There aren’t any nerves like that in your lingual frenulum. Or any frenulum in your mouth. How were you anaesthetised? Was it into the frenum or with a block further back which made your lip numb?

Hi, thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it. Just to confirm, it was a tongue tie release and not a lip frenulum.

I was given local anaesthetic, in both cheeks and my tongue. She injected my tongue multiple times, including midway through the produce. My tongue is still numb and tingly. I can barely speak or swallow and I keep drooling.

lingual frenulum this is the thing that ties the tongue. Not really clear what was done tbh. If it's tingly, it's probably the effects of the anaesthetic and will continue to wear off. What was the reason for the procedure?

I had the lingual frenulum lasered because I had a grade 4 tongue tie.

https://www.sonriadentalclinic.co.uk/dental-services/oral-surgery/lingual-frenectomy/

It's not a mainstream treatment in adults. If you paid privately, there should be decent aftercare, give them a call to discuss. Too unclear to give any meaningful info.

The problem is there is no one I can call until Monday and I’m sat here worrying quite a bit.

What is it that’s unclear btw? I’m not sure what else I can add but will gladly answer anything if it would help. Are you a dentist?

I've just retired from being a dentist, no longer on the register so not allowed to call myself a dentist.

This bit quoted doesn't make sense to me, I know it wasn't a lip (labial) frenulum, that's why I call it a lingual (tongue) frenulum. I asked if the anaesthetic was given at the back of your mouth and made your lip go numb.

Shame on the clinic for not having out of hours phone access, not surprising with UK private healthcare though, seen plenty of their emergencies in my time. Like I said, if it's tingling, it's most likely the nerve taking some time to recover.

Still also unclear why you had it, treating it because you had a grade 4 lip tie is like saying you have ginger hair so you dyed it rather than explaining the actual reason (don't like ginger hair, clashes with your car etc). What was the reason for the treatment?

@Silverdogblue Ah I see. So no, the anaesthetic was only given in my cheeks and underneath my tongue, not at the back of the mouth. My whole lower face became number though including my lip and chin.

As to why I had it done, my dentist just mentioned I had severe tongue tie and asked me if it caused me any issues. She said if I had it done I would benefit from the increased mobility and released tension in my jaw and back muscles. I was under the impression it was a fairly quick and simple procedure so I agreed.

I thought the sensation I was feeling was normal until I looked it up and it appears it’s not. I suddenly had a panic that it might be permanent and no one to contact for reassurance. I’m sitting here drooling into a bowl praying it stops feeling this way soon!

Thank you for taking the time to answer. It is very appreciated.

I'm answering this as a parent of a child who had a tongue tie release rather than a dentist. I was told it could take a couple of weeks to get used to the released tongue so I wonder if that's why your speech is affected coupled with the anaesthetic.

Can you stick your tongue out? Can you swallow?

Most likely your speech has changed due to the swelling and also the numbness. You will get used to it

I wouldn't expect numbness to last this long but equally there shouldn't be any nerves to be damaged in a frenectomy. Is your tongue numb/tingly on both sides or just one?

@abc56 Thank you for your reply. I’m hoping that’s just it and it will get better with time. I feel silly for not asking more about the recovery. Google is telling me all sorts of things!

@CarPour Hi, thanks for answering. I can’t stick my tongue out. Struggling to swallow unless I use a straw and put it at the back of my throat. I keep drooling saliva.

The front inch of the entire tongue is tingly/burning. It kind of feels like a cross between pins and needles and having drunk a really hot drink!

Irrelevant but have you been given the exercises to stop it reattaching post operatively?
Ideally you would have been doing some pre op.

There's a good tongue tie group on Facebook.

I'm no expert but does sound like it will resolve naturally.

This one.

@stayathomegardener Hello! Yes I was given the exercises. Thanks for the Facebook group info. I’ve sent a request to join.

Lots of experienced people on there. I can look up and see if other have had similar if it helps?
Hope it all works out for you, very tempted myself for similar jaw and upper back issues.

DC 23 had a frenectomy in July( and two wisdom teeth out). She was on v heavy doses of liquid meds for at least a fortnight. Her tongue was much more sore than the teeth. It was huge in her mouth and eating not easy. Hang on in there. Take maximum dosage children nurofen per day.