Wisdom Teeth: Post-op questions from a worried person

[Hp329]

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Hello everyone, my name is Scott and I just recently got my four wisdom teeth pulled this past Monday (Dec. 13). I'm not a dental student, but I have a few concerns about some things I've noticed in my mouth and I was hoping somebody here could help me. Please forgive me if I am not supposed to post here, not being a dental student and all. 😳

One thing I noticed is that, while three sides appear to be healing alright, there is (what I think is) a fairly large, noticeable hole in the spot where my lower left wisdom tooth was. I understand that this might be common and I am blowing things out of proportion, but the other areas where teeth were are healing nicely as I said. I can also still see stitches in the other areas, but fail to see them where the hole is on my lower left side. I'm wondering...is it possible I popped the stitches? If so, will my gum still heal correctly? Am I just blowing things out of proportion? It just feels as if that area of my mouth is very warm...like it's bleeding all the time, but in fact it isn't.

One other problem I'm having is some numbness in my tongue. After the operation, about my entire tongue was numb and every day after it would gradually get better. I noticed that this stopped a few days ago and right now it seems as if the right underside of my tongue is tingling all the time and it feels like it's swollen, although it looks fine. I can feel pressure when I apply it there, but I think I am having a difficult time tasting food on that side. I know that nerve damage can be possible after the procedure, but how long will this take to heal? Will it heal?

Thank you very much in advance for any response. 🙂

 

[predentchick]

I don't have an answer for you, but if you don't get any responses I would PM yah-E. He would be your best bet here. Good luck!!!

 

[Jediwendell]

Hello everyone, my name is Scott and I just recently got my four wisdom teeth pulled this past Monday (Dec. 13). I'm not a dental student, but I have a few concerns about some things I've noticed in my mouth and I was hoping somebody here could help me. Please forgive me if I am not supposed to post here, not being a dental student and all. 😳

One thing I noticed is that, while three sides appear to be healing alright, there is (what I think is) a fairly large, noticeable hole in the spot where my lower left wisdom tooth was. I understand that this might be common and I am blowing things out of proportion, but the other areas where teeth were are healing nicely as I said. I can also still see stitches in the other areas, but fail to see them where the hole is on my lower left side. I'm wondering...is it possible I popped the stitches? If so, will my gum still heal correctly? Am I just blowing things out of proportion? It just feels as if that area of my mouth is very warm...like it's bleeding all the time, but in fact it isn't.

One other problem I'm having is some numbness in my tongue. After the operation, about my entire tongue was numb and every day after it would gradually get better. I noticed that this stopped a few days ago and right now it seems as if the right underside of my tongue is tingling all the time and it feels like it's swollen, although it looks fine. I can feel pressure when I apply it there, but I think I am having a difficult time tasting food on that side. I know that nerve damage can be possible after the procedure, but how long will this take to heal? Will it heal?

Thank you very much in advance for any response. 🙂

Don't worry about it. you sound like you are fine. Big holes heal up great in the mouth. As long as the numbness is getting better, no biggie. That is a risk of the surgery, and about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 has some residual permanent numbness of the tongue. Should be better in 6 weeks to three months.

 

[Yah-E]

I don't have an answer for you, but if you don't get any responses I would PM yah-E. He would be your best bet here. Good luck!!!

Predental chick:

I thank you for your kind comments, but unfortunately, I AM NOT the "best bet" here on SDN. I am only a 3rd year dental student and there are at least 8 OMFS residents around the country as well as 4th year dental students who are waiting to match to OMFS lurking here. They are much more a reliable source than I.

Although I have more clinical experiences to scope of OMFS than most of 3rd year dental students out there, I am still a rookie and am still learning myself.

 

[JavadiCavity]

Hp329,

I had the same problem with numbness in my tongue (on the right side too). I had them pulled by an oral surgeon that was recommended by my dentist. I went back to my dentist a few months later and told him about it. He said that is was rare and odd, but that it should get better eventually. So, after about 2 and 1/2 years, it got better. However, every now and then, the problem reemerges. I'm not sure why. But, it usually happens after I've been ill. When it does reemerge, it only lasts for a week or so.

If I were you, I'd call the dentist that pulled your teeth and ask him. The call is free, and they may be willing to investigate it for you free of charge.

 

[Hp329]

Thank you all for your responses. I truly appreciate them. 🙂

The hole looks a little better today and I suppose I should have expected that, but the tongue problem remains the same.

Hp329,

I had the same problem with numbness in my tongue (on the right side too). I had them pulled by an oral surgeon that was recommended by my dentist. I went back to my dentist a few months later and told him about it. He said that is was rare and odd, but that it should get better eventually. So, after about 2 and 1/2 years, it got better. However, every now and then, the problem reemerges. I'm not sure why. But, it usually happens after I've been ill. When it does reemerge, it only lasts for a week or so.

If I were you, I'd call the dentist that pulled your teeth and ask him. The call is free, and they may be willing to investigate it for you free of charge.

JavadiCavity,
Mine were also pulled by a surgeon recommended by my dentist. I've done a lot of research online about post-op complications and it sounds as if numbness in the mouth and/or tongue isn't really all too uncommon, but then again I'm not a dental student. 🙂

So yours really took 2 and 1/2 years to fully heal?! Do you know if that's a common timespan, because my oral surgeon (who actually seemed pretty cold/careless when I told her my concerns) said it could take a few weeks or months, and I've read online that it could take anywhere from weeks up to a year. Needless to say, I'm not too thrilled about this situation.

 

[toofache32]

I think the textbook answer is "6 to 12 months" for these nerve injuries as long as they are improving. If it's been 3 months without any improvement then think about referral to someone experienced in microsurgery/nerve repair. 2.5 years is the longest I've heard but, hey...as long as it got better.

 

[gpg]

About your wound, I suggest you rinse with warm water=salt 4-5 times a day. Move the water all over your oral cavity and specially on the side where you feel the wound is bigger.

About the lack of sensation on the tongue, I suggest you call up your regular dentists. Better safe than sorry.

please do let us know what happens. Specially about your tongue.

 

[JavadiCavity]

I'd say my tongue was about 83.546% after about a year. Honestly, I didn't notice it as much after a year, but, if I played with it (i.e. chomped on it) I could still sense a little numbness.

 

[trypmo]

The right-hand side of my tongue is still partially numb from procedures done about 3 years ago. Over about a year, the numbness faded to maybe half of what it was immediately after the procedures, but it never did go away. I've gotten used to it, but it really is kinda sad and I'm still a little annoyed that it happened.

Oh, and this was from fillings, not even wizzie extractions. Those little buggers came out of me without incident.

 

[Hp329]

Thank you to the rest of you who have replied. All responses (whether I get excited or discouraged after reading them) are greatly appreciated.

About your wound, I suggest you rinse with warm water=salt 4-5 times a day. Move the water all over your oral cavity and specially on the side where you feel the wound is bigger.

About the lack of sensation on the tongue, I suggest you call up your regular dentists. Better safe than sorry.

please do let us know what happens. Specially about your tongue.

Thank you for the tip. I read about that when I was doing my research as well. Why is it that the salt won't sting the oral cavity though? Also...any time span regarding how long I should do this procedure?

 

[1-16-17-32]

Also...any time span regarding how long I should do this procedure?

A couple of days to a week is plenty. It helps keep the area clean and prevent infection. After the wounds have closed, it wont do much.

 

[DrRob]

The feeling in your tongue should come back especially if you were having improvement and tingling. I had upper jaw surgery in aug. and my right side of my face tingled for about a month and there is still one spot I can touch and make it tingle. As for the heat - its probably the inflammation from the healing process. Just try to keep the sockets as clean as possible.

 

[Hp329]

Just a little follow up. The hole in my gum has healed (thank goodness) but my tongue is still having issues. The tingling is gone, but the right side now feels like cotton. I can taste food over there, but it feels very dry and cotton-like.

I did a little test today with my finger. I ran the tip of my finger across the left side of my tongue and it tickled, however when I did it on the right side it did not. What do you guys make of this?

 

[aphistis]

Just a little follow up. The hole in my gum has healed (thank goodness) but my tongue is still having issues. The tingling is gone, but the right side now feels like cotton. I can taste food over there, but it feels very dry and cotton-like.

I did a little test today with my finger. I ran the tip of my finger across the left side of my tongue and it tickled, however when I did it on the right side it did not. What do you guys make of this?

More of the same, just the nerve injury continuing to produce symptoms while it heals. If you're able to taste on the front part of your tongue, that's a good sign; the nerve conducting taste sensations is the one that would've been damaged. Like toofache said, as long as it keeps improving over time, just keep an eye on it.