Dentist damaged nerves

[Cottagewitch]

I had a wisdom tooth out yesterday. It took three hours and was the most horrendous thing I’ve ever done. First three came out in fifteen minutes with no issues, this one required bone cutting and all kinds. Towards the end of the three hours I actually wanted to just run out.

Anyway, I have not regained the feeling in my face so I went back to the dentist and he tells me it is likely nerve damage and could be permanent but I won’t know for six months if it is indeed permanent. Basically said there’s absolutely nothing can be done. I’m so upset as it means potentially I will never sing again as it’s affecting my speech, or talk normally, or play my musical instrument, or eat normally. Has anyone else ever had this and please tell me if there’s light at the end of the tunnel. If it’s worse case scenario now did you cope with permanent numbness? With my singing and things it’s going to take a huge part of my life away.

I’m even more annoyed as to begin with they told me I needed to wait for this other dentist who’s a specialist as it was so complicated. That guy also works in another part of the county so not always there. Then the other dentist changed his mind and said, actually, it’s not that complicated, I’ll just do it. I feel like he should have just waited as I did get the impression he was out of his depth as he struggled for three hours to get the thing out.

You poor thing. I haven't had any experience with this, hope someone comes here soon with advice and it comes back soon!!

Did the dentist warn you beforehand that permanent nerve damage was a possible complication?

Did they not explain this to you before the procedure? I have had quite a few teeth out including wisdom teeth and have been told the risks before going ahead. I had loss of feeling after wisdom tooth extraction but it did return within a month, I was told that this was a possibility and that occationally feeling does not return.

Where abouts on your face is numb? Numbness is a recognised complication of wisdom tooth extraction and you should have been warned at the start of the procedure. Were you? I'd be surprised any dentist carrying out a surgical wisdom tooth without warning of nerve damage?Most people will regain sensation but not all. Sometimes even the swelling post operatively can be pressing on the nerve leading to numbness.

I don't know where my paragraphs went there!

Not the same at all - but I had a filling, as I had the injection it must have hit a nerve, sharp electric shock type feeling. Didn’t think much more about it, until 6 or so hours later and was still numb…phoned the dentist the next day who was most worried! (About being sued probably…)
The feeling came back after about 5 days iirc, it was about 20 years ago!

It’ll probably settle in time. Mine was like this for about 2 weeks, it was a horrible extraction, fully grown tooth under the gum, attached to my jaw hinge. I still get twinges nearly a year later.

it’s probably too soon to say if it’s permanent. Nerve damage is always a possibility with tooth extraction. Vit B5 is a good supplement to take for nerves.

They did mention there was a small risk, yes. I’m not really looking to blame them I’m just gutted it’s happened and currently panicking and looking for some hope that it might not be forever.

The good news is that of those who experience numbness after wisdom tooth extraction most will resolve after a couple of weeks, some will take 3 months , some 6 months and in a small amount of people ,around 10% , the damage is permanent.

There is a school of thought that says taking a suitable anti inflammatory (NSAID) may be helpful for those who can safely take the medication.

In other words for the majority of people the damage is not permanent.

I’m glad people are saying it’s not usually permanent. They’ve just called me to say they’ve spoken to the specialist who they initially said would need to do the extraction and their sending me for a CT scan to see if they can see what’s going on.

4 wisdom teeth removed under Local anaesthetic in one visit is too much.
One side at a time is best practice in my (extensive including hospital OMFS dental ) experience.

Bilateral inferior dental blocks are unusual.
It will probably resolve as it heals, but never a good idea to have 4 x 8s put in one sitting with anything involving Local anaesthetic (regardless of Conscious Sedation). GA is a different matter.

I have put off my wisdom tooth removal as when I saw the specialist he sucked his breath in and went “ooh that’s a bit close to your facial nerve isn’t it.” Put me right off when the specialist is a bit dubious about the procedure!

I was warned and do have permanent damage but now 2.5 years on its limited to a slight dribble if lying down, annoying but it's slight, and when not lying down a can control it with my tongue. First 4-6 weeks had quite a lot of issues and one side of face was pretty swollen causing speech issues. Could sing fine after a few weeks (was lock down when I had mine out so no choir)

Coronectomy is an alternative if symptomatic and close anatomical nerve association.
Lower 8s removal -2 nerves can be affected but neither are the facial nerve. Both potentially affected nerves are branches of the trigeminal nerve.

Ah sorry I should clarify they weren’t all done at once. I had two on the first visit, then one, and this one on the final visit which was the one that took a whole three hours for one tooth.

I’m glad you were able to sing again! That gives me hope. I mean I don’t do it professionally but it’s a big hobby of mine, folk nights and such. DH has just said ‘you never know, you meant end up some really cool kind of voice like Shane McGowan’ 🙄

It's probably just bruised OP. Let all the inflammation settle first -good few weeks-and see how things are then x