After a tooth extraction, numbness in the affected area is common. This results from the local anesthetic administered by your dentist or oral surgeon, which temporarily blocks nerve signals, ensuring you remain comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. Understanding the typical duration of numbness and influencing factors helps you know what to expect during recovery.
Expected Numbness Duration
Numbness after a tooth extraction typically lasts a few hours. This is primarily due to the local anesthetic used to manage pain during the procedure. Common anesthetics like lidocaine usually wear off within 1 to 3 hours, or up to 4 hours. Articaine may cause numbness for about 2 to 4 hours.
Sensation gradually returns as your body metabolizes the anesthetic. You might notice a tingling feeling as the numbness subsides, indicating that nerve function is resuming. While the main numbness dissipates within this initial timeframe, some altered sensation might linger.
Factors Influencing Numbness Duration
Numbness duration after tooth extraction varies based on several elements. The specific type and amount of local anesthetic used play a significant role. Longer-acting anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, can prolong numbness for up to 8 hours or even 8 to 10 hours, particularly when used for more complex procedures or to provide extended post-operative pain relief.
Extraction complexity also influences numbness duration. Procedures for impacted teeth, like wisdom tooth removal, often require more anesthetic, leading to longer numbness than simpler extractions. Individual physiological responses, including metabolism rate, also affect how quickly the body processes anesthetic. The injection site can impact persistence; denser bone areas like the lower jaw may retain numbness longer due to slower anesthetic diffusion. Inflammation around the surgical site can also prolong numbness by putting pressure on nerves.
When Numbness Lingers
While temporary numbness is expected, it can sometimes extend beyond the typical timeframe. This prolonged sensation, known as paresthesia, can occur if nerves are irritated or damaged during extraction. The inferior alveolar nerve (sensation to lower lip, chin, and some teeth) and the lingual nerve (sensation in the tongue) are vulnerable during extractions, especially of wisdom teeth.
Paresthesia manifests as tingling, burning, pins-and-needles, or a complete loss of feeling. Dysesthesia, a related condition, involves normal sensations perceived as unpleasant or distorted. Most nerve-related sensory changes are transient, resolving within days or weeks. However, some cases can persist longer than six months, and a small percentage may become permanent.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
Contact your dentist or oral surgeon if numbness persists beyond the expected duration or if you experience concerning symptoms. Seek professional guidance if numbness lasts over 24 to 48 hours, especially if it’s asymmetrical, affecting only one side of your mouth or face.
Other warning signs include severe pain that worsens or doesn’t improve with medication, persistent or increasing swelling, or pus at the extraction site. A foul odor or taste, continued bleeding beyond 24 hours, or a fever can indicate infection and require prompt evaluation. Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or loss of motor function in the face, jaw, or tongue should be reported immediately.