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Dental Anesthesia

Numb face 48 hours after filling

10/10/2008 11:16AM

Question:

I recently had a small filling conducted on an upper tooth (4-5, I think, looking at a dental chart). But now, more than 48 hours later, the side of my face is still numb from the local anaesthetic injection I was given beforehand. This numbness is very worrying; and I haven`t been able to sleep since for the fear that I`ve suffered some sort of permanent damage to my nerves. I`ve never had any problem receiving local anaesthetic during dental treatment in the past and am also in good health. I`ve contacted my dentist and he has requested that I keep him updated with the status of my condition; but he didn`t actually explain what could have caused it nor how long it was likely to last. Could you help to enlighten me, please?

Thanks very much for your time.

Answer:

I am sorry you are having difficulty. It is unusual for local anesthesia for upper teeth to cause nerve damage, let alone permanent nerve damage. Certainly, this could occur but I am not sure what anesthetic technique was used for if the tooth was 4 or 5, there really aren't any main nerve branches in the area. I would contact your dentist to determine what nerve may be involved.

The good news is that if nerve damage did occur, 99% resolve without any treatment. This may take weeks or months. A feeling of tingling or stinging in the area (like the feeling when your arm "falls asleep") is a good sign and indicates regeneration.

I wish you well, and the odds of complete recovery are clearly in your favor.

For more information:

Go to the Dental Anesthesia health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Nationwide Children's Hospital Steven I. Ganzberg, SB, DMD, MS
Chief of Dental Anesthesiology
Clinical Professor
Section of Dental Anesthesiology
College of Dentistry
Nationwide Children's Hospital
The Ohio State University
Steven I. Ganzberg, SB, DMD, MS