Jaw surgery and numbness

Hello,

Eight months ago, I underwent a BiMax operation. Unfortunately, my upper jaw is still numb. Feeling is slowly returning on one side, but unfortunately, not on the other side. For example, when I poke this side with tweezers or move over it with ice, I don’t feel anything. Every now and then, I experience a burning sensation above the anterior teeth.

The numb side of the upper jaw really restricts my ability to speak. How long does a nerve regeneration take? Should I still be hopeful that the situation will improve? Which nerves could be damaged? I can feel the palate. Can a neurologist help me?

Thank you very much in advance for your answer.

Ilse Sulek

Dear Ilse Sulek,

If you feel the palate but not the cheek, then the N. infra orbitalis could be have been offended/injured. The best thing to do is to speak with the surgeon. He will know all the what, how, and when. In general, however, it can take up to two to three years until feeling is restored. All the best!

Good evening,

Thank you very much for your answer. I turned to you because unfortunately, my surgeon has been “keeping mum.” I think I should mention that I can feel the upper lip and the cheek, but unfortunately, not the upper jaw. Do you think I should contact a neurologist as well?

Kind regards,

Ilse Sulek

Dear Ilse Sulek,

I turned to you because unfortunately, my surgeon has been “keeping mum.”

Oh dear, a silent one.

I think I should mention that I can feel the upper lip and the cheek, but unfortunately, not the upper jaw.

So you feel the

* palate
* cheek
* upper lip

and you don’t feel

* the gums of the upper jaw.


Its presumably just a small “dysaesthesia” resulting from the cut. It could take up to two to three years for things to get back to normal, but it’ll be okay.

Do you think I should contact a neurologist as well?

You can, but he probably won’t be able to help you. Just don't fiddle around with it a lot, or you might get sick.

Hello,

Yes, he is very uncommunicative. Maybe there is a dysaesthesia of the tongue?

I still have one question about the dysaesthesia, however. In the encyclopedia, it’s described as “discomfort.” However, I can no longer feel anything. I could tap my upper jaw on that side with a needle or press my upper jaw into a bed of nails, and it wouldn’t hurt. Will I not experience any pain even when my dentist drills into my teeth?

Kind regards,

Ilse Sulek

Dear Ilse Sulek,

So there isn’t a dysaesthesia, but a hypaesthesia. Or if you don’t feel anything at all, an anaesthesia.

Either way, this is connected to the surgery and will subside as time passes. You probably have feeling in the teeth – just test them with cold.

Dear Ilse Sulek,

The pain in the anterior teeth could be a sign that the nerve is regenerating. It could be one to two years until you get your normal sensitivity back.

Hey! How jaw surgery is beneficial and what food to eat after jaw surgery? Your answer will appreciable.