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Medical Forum / General / Dentistry / June 2005wisdom tooth extraction q's
Hi, I had my four wisdom teeth removed a few months ago. One particular tooth gave the surgeon a lot of trouble and took him a long time to remove. Since then, the side of my face that held that tooth is partially numb (sensations are dulled - I assume a sensory nerve was damaged during the surgery), but this doesn't bother me that much. What bothers me is that my mouth on that side of my face is lower than it is on the other side of my face. When making certain facial expressions this asymetry becomes more exaggerated and looks unappealing. I am going to schedule an appointment with my oral surgeon to discuss this, but I'd like to gather some information first. What could be causing this? I have a few theories: 1) Since the surgeon spent a much longer time on one side of my face than the other, the tissue on that side of my face stretched more and as a result sags more. 2) In addition to damaging a sensory nerve, the surgeon damaged a motor nerve, which would adversely affects control of the mouth. 3) No motor nerve was damaged, but mouth control is adversely affected by the numbness because there is less feedback to tell the brain the current position of the mouth. Which of these are plausible, and which would you think is the most likely? Thanks for any info. Claude > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > result > sags more. Nope > 2) In addition to damaging a sensory nerve, the surgeon damaged a motor > nerve, which would adversely affects control of the mouth. The surgeon should not have been near a motor nerve. > 3) No motor nerve was damaged, but mouth control is adversely affected by > the numbness because there is less feedback to tell the brain the current > position of the mouth. Quite plausible and very likely. > Which of these are plausible, and which would you think is the most > likely? > Thanks for any info. > > Claude  Signature~+--~+--~+--~+--~+-- Stephen [What's a Temporary?], D.D.S. Michigan, USA .................................................... This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only. Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect your health. ...................... It would be helpful to know if the situation is gradually improving, getting worse, or staying the same. It is possible, although unlikely, that there could have been damage to the facial nerve. Also, there is a possibility that you could have a type of Bell's palsy that only involves part of the facila nerve. Bell's palsy usually improves over time, and generally goes away in less than 2 months, at most. But sometimes, it could be longer, and rarely can be permanent. There are other possibilities as well. Do you notice any changes in taste perception -- this is mediated by the facial nerve, but since you have only one side with the problem, you might not notice the change in taste perception. At any rate, discuss this with your oral surgeon. It is probable that the problem you have may resolve on its own over time. Good luck! > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Claude Thanks for the help Steve and Jacob. The situations seems to be staying the same. I do not notice any change in taste perception. Looking into Bell's palsy, I see it can be caused by an infection. Could an infection still lingering from the extraction be causing it, or would it have to be a coincidence that it started right after my surgery? Claude > It would be helpful to know if the situation is gradually improving, getting > worse, or staying the same. It is possible, although unlikely, that there [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > > > Claude Hi Claude, I really think the best thing for you to do is see the oral surgeon asap to have your questions answered. It's very difficult to make any sort of diagnosis over the internet without seeing the patient, having radiographs, etc. Let us know what he says. > Thanks for the help Steve and Jacob. > [quoted text clipped - 62 lines] > > > > > > Claude OK, will do. Claude > Hi Claude, > I really think the best thing for you to do is see the oral surgeon asap to [quoted text clipped - 78 lines] > > > > > > > > Claude
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