I still feel lower jaw numbness after getting all four wisdom teeth removed two weeks ago. I called the oral surgeon’s office, but she wanted me to wait two more weeks before doing sensation tests. Is there anything I should do or avoid to help the nerve heal? Thanks. Summer from ND
Summer,
The inferior alveolar nerve, which provides sensation to your lower teeth and lip, can sometimes be near the roots of lower wisdom teeth. A pre-operative X-ray identifies the nerve’s location. In most cases, there is enough distance to minimize the risk of nerve damage during extraction. However, a nerve is sometimes beside the tooth roots or entangled in them. Your surgeon should provide a detailed evaluation of the potential risk of nerve injury.
Impacted wisdom tooth
Potential nerve injuries during wisdom tooth removal can be categorized into three distinct types, each with varying recovery timelines:
- Bruising: Temporary numbness usually resolves within approximately one month as the nerve recovers.
- Crushing: The injury requires the nerve to regenerate new fibers, which can take up to a year.
- Severing: Severe injury leads to permanent nerve damage and persistent numbness.
What Can You Expect for Nerve Recovery After Tooth Extraction?
It’s essential to have realistic expectations regarding recovery. A two-week post-operative check-up is too early for assessing nerve recovery. As your oral surgeon recommended, a four-week follow-up allows more time for initial healing. Recovery timelines can vary significantly, ranging from spontaneous resolution within a month to a year-long process or, in the case of a severed nerve, permanent numbness.
During nerve recovery, you may experience a tingling sensation that feels like local anesthetic wearing off after a dental procedure. If numbness persists, many individuals report adapting to the altered sensation over time, finding it less bothersome than immediately after surgery.
Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite nerve healing. Allow time for natural healing.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.
