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Numbness in tongue
I had to have a root canal December 4, 2007 for a tooth which had a very large filling in it. After the dentist gave me an injection of novacaine, I have no feeling in the tip of my tongue and along the right side of my tongue. I am afraid I will never regain the sensation in my tongue again. Can you tell me if this is normal, and if so, how long it will take for the feeling to return? I'm thinking my dentist did something wrong to cause this, although he is adamant that he did not. I have more dental work that needs to be done, but am afraid to continue. I have had numerous fillings, two previous root canals, and have never had this experience before. Please help me find some answers.
The root canal was done on #30 tooth. I still do not have feeling in the tip of my tongue, and when I chew I get tingling sensations under my tongue on the right side. I have started to worry because no feeling has returned. The idea of the mental nerve makes sense although I have since has another dentist look at the tooth and he says the x-rays show a slight bulging on the root which might indicated the first dentist over filled it. Should I have the root canal reversed before the crown is put on the tooth? Thanks for your answers.
Where was the root canal completed? Do you know the tooth number? I assume it was on the lower jaw and that the dentist gave you a nerve block to complete the root canal. The block usually works for 90 minutes and then wears off.
Two things could have happened:
1) He somehow damaged the nerve when he gave the block. In this case, the paralysis can take up to 8 weeks to resolve, but almost always does. It has been longer for you, however, so unless there was a severed nerve, then I would think you would have some improvement at least in the sensation.
2) The root canal (if done on tooth 20, 21 or 28, 29 or even 19 or 30) could have been filled in such a way that it is pressing on the mental nerve. This would have to be resolved by retreatment of the root canal.
My money would be on #1, that some type of minor damage to either the inferior alveolar nerve. I hope you start to get better!
Two things could have happened:
1) He somehow damaged the nerve when he gave the block. In this case, the paralysis can take up to 8 weeks to resolve, but almost always does. It has been longer for you, however, so unless there was a severed nerve, then I would think you would have some improvement at least in the sensation.
2) The root canal (if done on tooth 20, 21 or 28, 29 or even 19 or 30) could have been filled in such a way that it is pressing on the mental nerve. This would have to be resolved by retreatment of the root canal.
My money would be on #1, that some type of minor damage to either the inferior alveolar nerve. I hope you start to get better!
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