my face is numb

[Harry J]

Dear dentist,

I recently had my left wisdom tooth extracted, and since then I have a strange sensation on that side of my face. The left side of my face is now somewhat numb!! And I also have difficulty eating, talking, smiling…. My dentist says a nerve has been affected during the extraction. Will it recover? What happens if it does not recover?

[Dr Zahra J. Esfahani]

The inferior alveolar nerve runs close to the roots of wisdom teeth and sometimes during tooth extraction it can be damaged. Damage can either be due to physical trauma from the anesthetic needle or the surgical procedure itself. Alternatively damage can be chemically induced from the local anesthetic agent, either by using too much or using a very strong agent.

When this nerve is damaged, the patient may experience pain, partial numbness or complete numbness on the affected side of the face. Altered sensation can make speaking, eating, kissing, shaving, applying makeup, tooth brushing, drinking difficult. In most cases it is temporary and will self resolve. However unfortunately if it lasts greater 3 months it is likely to be permanent. See your dentist now to get an appropriate referral.