Originally Posted by mayasutton64

I am a 25 year old woman who is suffering from alveolar nerve damage. It has only been 2 weeks. The first week I experienced extreme tingling/numbness. This week, the numbness isn't as bad, and the tingling has subsided. I have started to experience alittle more burning/tooth ache pain as a result. If I bite my lip/chin I can feel maybe half of the sensation. Although a week ago I couldn't feel anything. I hope this means my nerve will repair itself soon! I think I may have type 1 injury (Neuropraxia). My speech isn't as impaired which is good. But i'm constantly depressed/lost weight because of it..not to mention the strain its putting on my supportive husband

Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi mayasutton,

What type of doctor or dentist diagnosed you with alveolar nerve damage and what is believed to be the cause of it?

Bryanna

Originally Posted by mayasutton64

I haven't been properly diagnosed. I went to an oral surgeon who only could not take out my entire wisdom tooth on the left side and instead took the "molar" portion off, leaving the root. The site appears to be healing properly. I am on antibiotics for now. Based on my symptoms I believe I may have neurapraxia because when I bite my lip I can feel it. If I poke my bottom gum with my nail I can feel it. I can feel myself touch my lip but its limited sensation. I don't have much pain besides burning every now and then. My chin/bottom lip are still numb, but doesn't feel as numb as it did when it first happened. What do you think Ms. Bryanna?

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Bryanna

Hi mayasutton,

Thanks for replying to my question I have a few more.....

Was the wisdom tooth erupted, impacted in the bone or partially impacted?
-Tooth was partially impacted

Did the oral surgeon tell you why he did not remove the roots of the wisdom tooth?
-He said they were too close to the nerve

Did he leave the entire root system or just pieces of root tips?
-Entire root system from what I saw in the last x-ray. He drilled through the tooth because he was trying to take it out in sections. Then he decided to leave the root. :-(

Did the crown portion (top portion of tooth above the gum line) break off from the roots?
-Yes he broke them off.

Did the tooth break during extraction and he unintentionally pushed the roots further into the bone?
-I heard two cracks, and alot of pressure went on. He took the crown portion and sewed me up. This may have happened however.

Did he say the roots were close to the mandibular canal?
-He didn't say which part, but he just said "the nerve"
Was there infection in that area of your mouth prior to the extraction or was the tooth decayed or infected?

What diagnosis and prognosis has the oral surgeon come up with based on your symptoms?
-I went back a week later. He poked around to see what I could feel. I could feel alittle feeling in my gum. He told me this was a good sign and to monitor it..then said to come back in 2 weeks. I will probably go to another oral surgeon soon.

Thanks.... Bryanna

Originally Posted by Bryanna

mayasutton,

What was the reason he suggested to remove the wisdom tooth in the first place and did he inform you that the roots were close to the "nerve" before he attempted the extraction? Did he take an xray of this area after he removed the crown portion and attempted to remove the roots?

I ask all of these questions because it helps to visualize and piece together the history of this tooth and surgery, etc. Generally an oral surgeon will not leave roots of a tooth in the bone because he knows of the increased risk of infection. There really needs to be extenuating circumstances, usually anatomically, for an oral surgeon to think that is the best option. As a side note.... A general dentist tends to leave roots because he is leery of pushing them further into the bone or traumatizing the bone severely enough to result in nerve damage. So you are sure he was an oral surgeon, right?

Originally Posted by mayasutton64

He said that the tooth was infected and needed to come out. He explained it was close to a nerve. He took many xrays before, during, and after. The root is curved. I think my problem was it was just erupting and I wanted it out so I wouldn't be in pain. He was more than likely a general dentist. I feel so dumb because I knew better! I had an actual oral surgeon I couldve gone to. Although I don't feel any signs of infection and have been on antibiotics. i'm so frustrated with myself!