Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 12/9/2007

Question
  I just had deep-cleaning for left hand side of my teeth done last Tuesday, 4 days ago.The dentist gave me 4 shots of novocaine, two upper, two lower.

 And now, 4 days past. My gums are still sore. And the left side of my face is still a little numb. I can feel when I poke on it, but it feels thick and kind of swollen from my left eye lid to upper jaw, although it doesn't look swollen in appearance.


 I'm so worried about it now. I'm thinking it might be some side-effect of that novocaine shot because  I felt a lot of pain even up to my ear when I was getting the shot.

 Is it a possible side-effect of the novocaine shot, or did he damage a nerve? if it is, is it permanent? Do I need to go to see neurologist?

 Thanks so much for your help!!  

Answer
Dear Bing,

Although some local anesthetics (especially 4% articaine) have been implicated in some postoperative "paresthesias", lasting sensory deficits in the upper jaw and surrounding tissues (as opposed to the lower lip) are exceedingly rare.

Although it is possible that you may develop a lasting sensory deficit in your left mid-face from the local anesthetic, I have never encountered such a case, either personally or in the literature, in the course of my 31-year career. Your symptoms of numbness will almost certainly resolve within a week or two without the need for any intervention.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY