Nerve injury is a known complication that occurs with molar extraction. Not much can be done once it happens. The healing process can be painfully long or permanent.

Hi Cleo, I appreciate your post.

A few questions come to mind---

At what point is nerve damage deemed permanent?

Are there ways to pinpoint which nerve(s) are causing an issue?

If so, are there tests available that could determine the percentage of damage that's taken place?

I'm thinking that if the above things are possible, then perhaps a "customized treatment plan" could be effective in relieving some of the pain & overall discomfort.

Thanks again and have a great day!

Laughter

The area in distress is the only indicator of which nerve is involved.

I just read your other comments here and i saw you were made aware of these risks and told by your OS that the nerve was seen during a 3rd attempted surgery to remove a root tip.

What nerve did they see.. did they say what condition the nerve was in?

Are you under treatment for the cervical stenosis?

Hi there Cleo,

So the symptoms can narrow down which nerve has been aggravated? How is it determined that someone is a candidate to have a procedure done to "fix" the nerve to minimize the daily aches/pains, etc.?

The OS had mentioned to me on a few of my office visits that he himself has facial numbness on one side (can't recall which one). I just assumed it was from having oral surgery---and I can sympathize with him because it feels foreign to have numbness, tingling, etc. in the face. Period. It feels as if you're perpetually recovering from the stuff they numb you with prior to having a cavity filled.

The OS did say at one point that there was a possibility of winding up with facial numbness but that he was going to do everything within his power to prevent that from happening. In an odd, kind of candid way, whenever he'd mention that he had permanent numbness in part of his face---it made me kind of think that he wanted me to realize that other people have the same issue and you wouldn't even know it......kind of like, hey, I have it as well. Again----that's how I felt when he'd bring up his numbness issue---he didn't explain it like that at all.
Regarding the aching, pain, zings, itchiness and so on---he never spoke about any of them as a potential issue. I think that if he had rambled off all those scary long term symptoms---I probably would have felt like running out the freaking door!!! Lol. Anyhow, I can only imagine being super-concerned and even more frightened than I already was because of everything that had been taking place. To be honest...even if he had shared the above, I would have still agreed to undergo additional surgery because what would my other choices be?

To answer your question about the nerve that the OS saw---I have no idea. I didn't think to ask which one it was, etc... I get a bit queasy during any conversation that include the topic of veins, needles, blood, and so on. When he brought up that he had seen my nerve---I had to keep from thinking any further about it. Lol. Even typing the last sentence just made my hands begin to sweat!
Now that you've asked..........I am curious which one he laid eyes on as well. . He didn't mention anything else about the nerve, including it's condition.

Regarding the stenosis. I have an order for physical therapy; the neurologist said that she wanted to begin with a basic treatment plan and then go from there, as needed. I'm looking forward to therapy---It'll be great to be able to help my neck area, even if I don't notice a difference.

Thanks for reading this post. Have a great day! Laughter.

It's the AREA of abnormal symptoms that dictates which nerve (s) are involved. I've been in a similar situation for several years. You should go back to that OS for a check up on the situation. A neurologist can only medically treat it and that's why you were sent there. I have heard physical therapy may help in certain situations.

A thousand apologies, because I have only quickly perused these posts.
But I did see nerve pain or injury. This is not necessarily for just the original poster, but for anyone who comes upon this or a related topic.
Periodically, I wish to mention that if you feel you were injured by a dental professional (ugh) or any any medical professional, to make sure you document your experience and to make sure you not only seek the opinion of other qualified medical experts such as oral surgeons or neurologists, but also very possibilty a good attorney.I absolutely feel I was damaged by an incompetent dentist.
After a huge delay, I spoke to a few attorneys.
One told me that he didn't want to take the case because cases against dentists were horribly difficult.
Others felt I dropped the ball by waiting too long.
When you are in horrible pain, one tends to think about nothing but getting the pain in CONTROL!
Also, even if there was some sort of mess up and you are suffering bad nerve pain, all hope is not necessarily lost regarding your pain.
It's been approximately 3.5 years since my dental "incident." Lots of doctor appointments, heavy duty pain, heavy duty pain medication, specially formulated medication (which I still take) and so forth.
I'm FINALLY feeling decently. Nope, it's not gone. I have come to accept, it probably will never fully go away.
But, I have pain control and I'm very pleased with this.
I use a compounded cream and it is costly, but I can now spread the script out for five or six weeks instead of four.
And it is extremely rare for me to need strong medication.
I see progress. Yes, 3.5 years was a horridly long time, but I think my nerve has healed to a certain extent. I have other health issues and when this happened, I think I went into shock.
Again, please re -read what I wrote above.
Blessings.