Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/19/2008

Question
When my dentist injects an anesthetic so that he can work on my upper teeth, why does part of my nose and cheek become numb also?

Answer
The anesthetic he is injecting is numbing part of the facial nerve. The local spread of the local also includes parts of the nose and cheek. You will find your nose more involved when he is working on the front teeth and the ear when he is working on the back teeth.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston