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Tooth extraction isn’t necessarily a pleasant experience, but most people recover within a few days and quickly return to their normal activities. However, moving on is not nearly as easy in some instances, such as when you experience a loss of sensation in your lip that won’t seem to go away.
A numb lip after tooth removal can be alarming, and while it is usually only temporary, there are instances where it may indicate long-lasting or even permanent nerve damage. To protect your rights after possible dental malpractice causes you harm, it’s important to understand what lip numbness can mean and when it might constitute a legal claim.
Why Does Lip Numbness Happen After a Tooth Extraction?
During tooth extraction, particularly for lower wisdom teeth or molars, the dentist or oral surgeon must work close to major nerves in the jaw. If those nerves are injured during the procedure, it can result in a loss of sensation.
The two most commonly impacted nerves in these cases include:
- Inferior Alveolar Nerve: This nerve runs along the lower jaw. Injury can cause numbness or tingling in the lower lip, chin, or teeth.
- Lingual Nerve: This nerve provides touch and taste sensation to part of the tongue. Injury can cause numbness or altered sensation in the tongue.
Most of the time, the numbness resolves within a few days or weeks. However, if the nerve is stretched, compressed, or suffers significant damage, the loss of sensation can last far longer and even become permanent.
How Long Should Numbness Last?
Numbness after tooth extraction should typically last for a few hours to a few days as the anesthesia wears off and your nerves continue to recover from mild trauma. If the numbness lasts weeks or months, it may indicate nerve damage. If it’s been weeks and you’re still experiencing numbness, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away.
When Is Numbness a Sign of Negligence?
Not every case of lip numbness after a tooth extraction results from dental malpractice. These procedures, particularly complex wisdom tooth removals, carry known risks that patients are typically warned of beforehand. However, you may still have a valid legal claim if:
- The Dentist or Periodontist Failed to Warn You: dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists must inform patients about the possibility of nerve injury before treatment. If you weren’t adequately informed of the risk, you may not have given true informed consent.
- Improper Technique Was Used: If the dentist, oral surgeon, or periodontist failed to take necessary precautions or performed the procedure carelessly, any numbness that occurs may constitute negligence.
- Avoidable Nerve Damage Occurred: Damage caused by avoidable actions, like excessive force or ignoring imaging results, generally falls outside the assumed risk of tooth extraction.
- Complications Were Ignored: If your provider dismissed your symptoms or failed to recommend follow-up care, that may strengthen a malpractice claim.
- Carelessly drilling too far when placing an implant or negligently addressing the socket after an extraction.
Steps to Take If You Can’t Feel Your Lip After Extraction
If you recently had a tooth extracted and you’re experiencing persistent numbness or tingling, be sure to:
- Document Your Symptoms: Keep a record of when the numbness started, what areas are affected, and how it impacts daily life.
- Return to Your Dentist: If the numbness persists for more than a few days, contact your dentist or oral surgeon and let them know.
- Seek a Second Opinion: Speaking with another dental professional can confirm the cause and extent of the injury and help you identify signs of negligence.
- Contact a Dental Malpractice Attorney: An experienced dental malpractice attorney can review your case, ask you some key questions, and inform you of your legal options. If you suspect negligence, contact one as soon as possible.
Contact Lance Ehrenberg, Esq. Today
If you’re experiencing persistent numbness after a tooth extraction, you need an experienced attorney to protect your rights. The team at Dental & Podiatry Malpractice Lawyers of New York will fight for the accountability and fair compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery. Contact us today for your free consultation.