Numb tongue after lower jaw surgery

[oceandographer]

Hi,

I've had braces for about 2.5 years now. I had upper jaw surgery a few years ago, and lower jaw surgery about 8 months ago (around Sept 20, 2012). I was told that some numbness was to be expected for about 6 months, but immediately following the surgery, my tongue has been numb on the left side as well as the teeth. It feels like I'm being shocked by a 9 volt battery at half charge or something--or kind of like what it feels like when your arm falls asleep because you slept on it.

Is this normal? I still have in the little plates and screws, should I have them removed or is it normal to be numb for longer than this?

[azjaw]

It definitely sounds like something to talk to your surgeon about. They told me the same thing that I might have numbness for up to 6 months after surgery. My surgeon also told me up to 20% of people who have lower jaw surgery have some permanent numbness in their lower lip. It sounds like the numbness you are describing is pretty intense though and is in a completely different area.