Nerve damage/numb chin/wisdom tooth removal

[summer_islander]

I have numbness of lower Rt. jaw, chin, and lips past removal of Rt. lower wisedom tooth 6 days post-op. (Tongue is not effected.). I knew there was a 20% chase of this going into surgery due to my age (44) and root formation impacted around nerve. But, I had a nasty bacteria (smelly) in the wisdom tooth that would not go away after a couple of rounds of PCN and special rinses.

Why does the numbness increase at night? It feels like a burning in my chin at night and occasional sharp-electrical like pain in other teeth on the side for a split second or two. I have to sleep with a couple of pillows or this is worse. During the day it is not as bad. I am taking Advil 400-600mg q.8 hours for the next couple of weeks per orders of oral surgeon. He stated this is for inflammation around nerve and to help prevent extra scar tissue. He said that the nerve may repair it's self over time. I just wanted another opinion
Any advice would be appreciated.

[Michael H Kirsch, DDS]

There is little to do at this time.  Make sure you follow-up with the surgeon so they make monitor your progress.  If you are still having pain after 4 weeks you should see an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who specializes in repairing this nerve.

Most of these conditions resolve by themselves overtime.  However, if you have not experienced any improvement in 3 months you should be evaluated for nerve repair.

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.

[summer_islander]

Thanks for the information.