Jaw Alignment, Teeth Repair, & Numbness

[TaniGia]

Three weeks and 4 days ago I had a bad fall accident from the 2nd floor of a building and landed on concrete on my chin and badly fractured both my jaws (up to my ear on the left), and it knocked out my 4 front top teeth, moved some of my 4 front bottom teeth broke and cracked some of my teeth in the back and on the side. I had my surgery exactly 3 weeks ago, I had  to have 4 plates placed on my jaw bone (1 on each side of my jaw bone 1 in my chin and 1 in my upper lip), jaw realignment, wires placed on my bottom gums and stitches underneath my chin. I was wondering 1. Should my jaws have been wired shut? Because now when i swallow i hear cracking in my jaw on the left, and when i try to go to sleep with my mouth closed my jaw will yank itself open and cause pain on the left of jaw. It just started doing the same when the teeth on the left touch. 2. Could my jaw not be healing properly because of this or is the yanking normal? 3. Based on what the surgeon told me that even though i had a really bad fracture the nerve in my lip looked good and the numb feeling should go away. Now my bottom lip has gone numb and now so has the left side of my upper lip and the middle of my chin, but I can still move my lips and feel a tingling and tickle sensation go through my lips and chin. Is it possible that my lips will regain feeling or could it be that my stitches underneath my chin have an infection or is it a side effect from having stitches under my chin? 4. Lastly, what would be the best option for dental replacement if I can't get insurance?

[Michael H Kirsch, DDS]

Unfortunately, forum rule allow for only one question.  I will do my best to address your concerns.

Your questions are both valid and pertinent to your specific injury and should be address directly to the surgeon who is most familiar with your precise injuries.

Nerve injury while common with traumatic injuries is rarely permanent.  Close follow-up with the surgeon is important.  

When tooth loss occurs as a result of a traumatic injury their replacement is often considered a covered benefit under your medical plan.  Call your insurance provider for specific details.

Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation.  This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.