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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In The Lower Gums After Tooth Extraction?

I have paresthesia of chin lower lip and gingiva on the lower right side where the 3rd molar from the back was extracted and had poweder bone graft. I can feel the chin and lip but they feel weird whe touching or when I move them. On the X Ray post extraction , it showed that the drill went up to the nerve canal. It's been 8 days with no changes as far as I can tell. The lower teeth in front of the extraction are " numb " but feel uncomfortable when I press on them. Is this possibly reversible? what suggestions do you have ?
Mon, 27 Feb 2017
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

As per your complain it looks like during the extraction of the wisdom tooth or the third molar tooth there has been injury to the inferior dental nerve and it is leading to numbness in the lower gums, chin, lip etc as these areas are supplied by inferior dental nerve..

I would therefore suggest you to consult an Oral Surgeon and get thoroughly evaluated and if needed an MRI SCAN can be advised to check for the condition of the nerve.

In case if there is only injury to the nerve then it will gradually repair itself and the sensations will become normal and numbness will subside..

In case if the nerve is broken or severed in two parts then there can be irreversible damage and the numbness can be permanent..
So it will be better to get examined and treated accordingly..

Hope this helps..

Regards.
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What Causes Numbness In The Lower Gums After Tooth Extraction?

Hi.. Thanks for the query.. As per your complain it looks like during the extraction of the wisdom tooth or the third molar tooth there has been injury to the inferior dental nerve and it is leading to numbness in the lower gums, chin, lip etc as these areas are supplied by inferior dental nerve.. I would therefore suggest you to consult an Oral Surgeon and get thoroughly evaluated and if needed an MRI SCAN can be advised to check for the condition of the nerve. In case if there is only injury to the nerve then it will gradually repair itself and the sensations will become normal and numbness will subside.. In case if the nerve is broken or severed in two parts then there can be irreversible damage and the numbness can be permanent.. So it will be better to get examined and treated accordingly.. Hope this helps.. Regards.