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What Causes Lip Numbness When Diagnosed With Bell's Palsy?

Posted on Fri, 7 Apr 2017

Question: I have Bells Palsy and never got all the feeling back in my lips. I am afraid going to the dentist and getting novacaine would make it worse. How can novacain effect my Bells Palsy?

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No effect on Bell's palsy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.
Bell's palsy is due to compression of facial nerve.
The residual deficit may improve for few months and some deficit may persist.
Nerve block for dental procedures involves inferior alveolar division of mandibular nerve which is not related to facial nerve.
The sensory deficit due to block is temporary and improves in few hours.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further information.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Neeraj Kumar (17 minutes later)

I was concerned because the lips always get so numb from the novacain and even pulling my lip back makes it more numb. Weird, right?

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry about facial nerve palsy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The sensory supply to face is via trigeminal nerve and motor is via facial nerve.
Numbness may be present due to dental block but no aggravation of bell's palsy.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad