Expert: Tony Appleton BDS DPDS - 11/23/2008

Question
I recently had a root canal to tooth #20 on the left bottom. While drilling the doctor hit my tongue and cut into it. Leaving me with 2 stiches under the tongue, My tongue after 5 days feels like it is noy laying proper between my teeth. It feels like underneath theres a bump or its higher on one side when i close my mouth, also when i talk i feel a pulling sensation from the muscles in the back of my mouth. Will this ever go back to normal.Also when i stick my tongue out i feel a pulling under my left side of my neck ,right under the root canal tooth. Could you please answer this ? Have you ever herd of a dentist slipping with the drill? Is this normal? I herd theres alot of nerves in the tongue that control alot in the mouth area and neck?
Thank you for your Time.
Karen

Answer
Hi Karen

This is an accident that is rare, but can happen, unfortunately.

The tongue is healing, so is swollen and inflamed.  Also the stitches will be restricting the movement.  This will settle with time.

It is highly unlikely that there has been any nerve damage.

Regards

Tony Appleton