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Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Hi,
Hoping you can help me....my mother just had her lower wisdom tooth removed in the hopes it would alleviate some pain she's been having in her jaw, also because her jaw does not open very wide.  The surgery was 10 days ago, she is still in pain, and has experienced numbness that has not gone away.  Her right side of her tongue is still numb.  She was not told there was a possibility that the numbness could be permanent until "after" her surger.  She saw her doctor on Monday and he said she was healing "well" and to give it another week.  My question is often is the numbness permanent?  I really think this will become an issue that causes her mental distress if it doesnt go away soon?  Is there anything she can do to help this go away?  
Thanks for your help,
Mary
4 Responses
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373693 tn?1324485502
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Permanent sensory deficit occurs less than 1% of of wisdom tooth removal.  Most cases resolve within a few weeks, however it can take months and up to a year has been reported.

If the condition does not improve within 3 months I would suggest she gets a second opinion from an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who specializes in nerve repair.

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Avatar universal
Hi Dr Kirsch,
Just bumping up my second question to you....
Thanks, Mary
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Avatar universal
Hi Dr Kirsch,
Thank you for your response.  Her doctor is an oral surgeon.  She has another appointment with him next week.  Can I just ask you one more question - you said the numbness "usually" goes away but it can be permanent in some "rare" cases.  What would constitute rare?  What damage would be done to be considered "rare"?  He has indicated there is some "nerve damage" and there is alot of bruising.  I'm hoping the bruising is causing the pain?
Thanks again for your help,
Mary
Helpful - 0
373693 tn?1324485502
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your mother should be seen by a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon as soon as possible.  The numbness is usually temporary but it can be permanent in some rare cases.

The sooner she is evaluated and baseline data is obtained the better the surgeon will be able to predict her recovery and possibly provide treatment to improve her recovery.

If she is truly experience "mental distress" she should be seen by a mental health specialist immediately!

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.
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