Numbness post wisdom tooth extraction

I just had my 4 impacted wisdom teeth pulled a week ago and ever since the surgery I have had numbness in my lower lip on the left side. Also, my front teeth on the bottom left feel like they are numb/loose. Is this common? I figured that a nerve was bruised but how long does it normally take on average for a nerve to heal? Will this be permanent? Thank you for any feedback or past experiences posted.


This discussion is related to Bruised nerve due to wisdom tooth extraction.

[StratRebel]

Post-op numbness is common, especially for deeply impacted wisdom teeth.  Most cases resolve slowly within 6-12 months completely.  If your symptoms are not improving in 6 weeks, you should go back to your oral surgeon.

[saynono]

You have an "injury" to your inferior alveolar nerve since it is your lip that is affected.  I would contact the doctor now to report the symptoms....and, personally, would not wait.  Are you completely numb or just some...like when novacaine is wearing off after a dental injection?

The nerve could have been bruised and will recover only with time which is the most likely cause.  

This is a rare occurence but there are times when nerves have been severed or "crushed"  during tooth extractions and that being the case, you don't want to wait too long before you start looking into surgically repairing the nerve.  Like I said, this is likely not the cause but if I were you, I would let the doctor know.