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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In Lip And Chin Post Root Canal Treatment?

why is my botom lip & chin still numb almost 3 days after a root canal on my back bottom tooth? I'm also in tremendous pain in my jaw, ear, neck & gums on that side. The Dentist put a crown on about 3 weeks ago only to find out a few days later that a root canal would need to be done. Last Friday he drilled through my new crown & started the root canal. He was able to get 2 roots done but after 1 1/2 hours in the office, he couldn't get the 3rd one out because it was curved. He gave up on it that day & sent me home w/some pain meds & antiboitics. I went back this past Tuesday to try again. The shots were even worse & very painful; like he went in the same sore spots? With "much effort" he said he finally got it done. On Friday (the first & partial root canal) the numbness went away after a few hrs but lots of soreness from the work. Tuesday's completion of the root canal is steadily getting worse. I called them on Wednesday pm to report issues & they said to call back if not better by this Friday. If these meds don't soon kick in I don't know if I can stand it tonight.I will definately be calling them tomorrow am. What all is going on?
Mon, 13 Oct 2014
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Dentist,  's  Response

There are three possible causes for the numbness:

1. A direct strike on the inferior alveolar nerve during injection. This is a random chance event. The numbness will go away in 6-12 months. There is NOTHING you can do in the meantime.
2. Overfill of the root canal, impinging on the nerve. This would be a rarity, but easily seen on x-ray. The remedy would be surgery to the root end or extraction.
3. Severe post-op infection putting pressure on the nerve. This is very rare. I don't think I have seen it more than once in my career.
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What Causes Numbness In Lip And Chin Post Root Canal Treatment?

There are three possible causes for the numbness: 1. A direct strike on the inferior alveolar nerve during injection. This is a random chance event. The numbness will go away in 6-12 months. There is NOTHING you can do in the meantime. 2. Overfill of the root canal, impinging on the nerve. This would be a rarity, but easily seen on x-ray. The remedy would be surgery to the root end or extraction. 3. Severe post-op infection putting pressure on the nerve. This is very rare. I don t think I have seen it more than once in my career.