Metal Mouth Message Board

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?

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.