I am 8 days post-op bi-max. My upper was a 4 mm impaction with 4 mm forward movement.
The roof of my mouth and palate are 100% totally numb. If I recall I had some spotty numbness after SARPE, but not to this extent.
I've read that this is this type of numbness is possible and that it is almost always something that will return, but I'm curious about what others have experienced? I haven't heard too much about upper palate/roof of mouth numbness so I thought I'd ask and see what others may have experienced.
I know I'm only 8 days post-op so I'm not freaking...yet
I know with my SARPE, I have numbness in my upper teeth/gums and palate, but I can feel it going away little by little and it's not totally numb to begin with. Yours sounds like you feel nothing, huh? Is it improving day to day?
32 years old, total time in braces=30 months
-Braces and palate expander on 4/15/10
-RPE Surgery 9/15/10
-Expander removed 3/11
-Braces Removed 9/7/12
-Retainers in 9/7/12
Nope. No feeling yet at all. I know it's way too early to worry. I'm hoping once the swelling is mostly gone I can better evaluate what feeling I have so I can monitor it better.
My palate is also completely numb. I get twinges and tickles every now and then but no feeling yet. My upper gums are improving, however, so I'm hoping that bodes well for the roof of my mouth. Keeping my fingers crossed for the both of us
Braced December 14, 2009
Debraced November 9, 2011
Hi Chicago 29 and welcome to the other side. I had upper and lower jaw surgery and like you my upper palate was completely numb. I remember thinking how wierd it felt and when I ran my tongue across it it didn't tickle like it used to. To be honest I can't recall when my feeling returned but I know for a fact it was not within the first 6 weeks. Just rest assured that it does go back to normal. I am currently 3 months post op and am happy to report that everything is pretty much back to normal. Hang in there.
I am 5 weeks post op and my palate is still really numb after bimax and palate expansion. My surgeon said it would be a couple more months before everything got 'back to normal'
Happy days! I swear I'm stabbing my toothbrush and fork into it when brushing my teeth and eating. Ouch!
Wow, reading you all having numbness after WEEKS post-op makes me nervous! The weird thing is, my upper teeth and gums are numb, but I have sensation in my palate and where my stitches are above my upper gums. I hate the numb feeling...eating and brushing feel weird and I hate that "tight"/numb feeling anytime I move my mouth and cheeks!
32 years old, total time in braces=30 months
-Braces and palate expander on 4/15/10
-RPE Surgery 9/15/10
-Expander removed 3/11
-Braces Removed 9/7/12
-Retainers in 9/7/12
Thanks everybody...That does make me feel A LOT better. I was thinking I was the only one I think I need to go at least another 6 weeks before I even contemplate concern over this.
Dr Blur, I think what you are describing is in line with what I experienced with my SARPE. I think the "complete total numbness" is something you'd only get with a true LeFort where the jaw is actually downfractured (ie, removed from your skull). If I recall, I felt most everything returned to normal within 6 to 8 weeks of the SARPE.
Don't worry! This is completely normal. It's still way too early for you. I had upper and lower jaw surgery, and my upper palate was completely numb for a few months afterwards. It returns gradually. I didn't really notice it returning until one day I realized I had feeling in the upper part of my mouth again. Now after 8 months post-op, I have practically all of the feeling back, though there are still some areas behind my front teeth that are sensitive when I run my tongue over them.
