Tongue Numbness after Dental Work

A few days ago I went to the dentist to get a few fillings.  As the dentist was injecting me with the numbing medicine, I felt what was like an electrical shock go through the right side of my tongue.  Later that day after the numbness wore off, the right side of my tongue was still numb. It has been 3 days now, and it is still numb. What is causing this?  Thanks for your help.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

This usually is the result of the needle passing close or touching the lingual nerve which innervates half the tongue on the side of the injection. I would venture to say that the numbness will dissipate slowly but the feeling will return, although slowly.