Numb tongue?

[suzyscientist]

Hey folks,

Has anyone got a numb tongue post surgery? I was just sitting playing with my new overbite and realised that I can't feel one side of my tongue... I'm not sure if this is a new thing or an old thing because pretty much my whole lower jaw has been numb since the op (last Weds) but it just felt weird all of a sudden.

Know it's probably normal, but just wondering

Suzy

[qwertz1]

all I can tell you that it is in my informed consent form, just like numbness of lower lip/chin (among a lot of other fun stuff)

[mamaneedsanewjaw]

For me the tounge was the only thing that wasn't numb. Other than that, I was one of the lucky ones who was numb from the eyes down to my chin. Good times. Three and a half months later all of my feeling is returning other than the roof of my mouth which is still TOTALLY numb and my chin is about 50% back. I think anything and everything can be numb after this surgery!!

[Bomb]

Suzy,

Is your tongue still numb? How long ago was your surgery?

[suzyscientist]

Hiya,

I'm 18 months post surgery and unfortunately yes it's still partially numb in one small spot. Not enough to cause problems, it's just a bit odd! My chin and lower lip are still totally numb and I've been told that at this stage it's unlikely the feeling will ever come back, which is a bit sad, but an acceptable consequence I suppose!

I'm not sure if it's related but I had to have the screws and plates taken out as I had a reaction to them (ulceration and swelling in my gums around where the metal was located) which was further trauma my nerves probably could have done without

Hope this helps!!

[Bomb]

Hi Suzy

I am sorry to hear about your numbness. The one small spot is on your tongue? Where? I have a fairly large spot on the right side of my tongue but my surgeon is very optimistic that it will come back. His reason is I have feeling on the top, tip and back so there are impulses traveling along the nerve. Does that make sense to you? Does the small spot on your tongue casue you problems with taste?

I am week 7 and have significant numbness on chin and lower lip. I am a 52 year old male. I think I could deal with the chin, but the numb lip so far appears to be a significant quality of life "frustrator". I cannot even chew without biting my lip. How have you managed and how is it that you feel that is an acceptable consequence? Nothing that can be done?

I am suprised to see you still tracking this 18 months later. Right now, after just 7 weeks, this whole journey is life consuming for me (obsessive might be the better term). Is it still a large part of your life 1 1/12 years later?

I so much appreciate the feedback to know what to expect.

[suzyscientist]

To be honest I'm not really tracking anything I don't come on here very often so the signature is still the same as it was just after my surgery!

The numb spot is on the left side of my tongue, it's pretty small (about the size of an apple seed) and it just feels a bit tingly when I touch it. It doesn't bother me at all and I can still taste everything exactly as I did before.

The chin and lip - that does bother me sometimes. The numbness here is most likely related to the genio rather than the BSSO, and I knew it was a risk. The thing that most bothers me is not feeling a kiss properly. Other than that I have complete function in my lip, I can talk, eat, drink etc exactly as normal, and strangely, in cold weather I can feel my lip more than in warmer conditions! This gives me some hope that it might get better one day. The surgeon says that usually after 18 months, your nerves have recovered all they can. But he also said that as I'm older (31) it might take longer - the older you are the slower your nerves heal, so there's still hope, but I'm happy regardless of what happens!

At 7 weeks post surgery the entire lower half of my face was totally numb. It was about 3 months before I started getting full feeling back in my cheeks and around my jawline, so you're still pretty early on in the process. Biting your lip isn't just because of the numbness, it's partially due to muscle as well. Remember that your tendons and muscles will be used to the old shape of your jaw, and it will take a while for them to adapt to its new position. Also there will probably be some residual swelling, even if you don't notice it, so all of these things mean you will probably bite your lip, tongue, or cheek more than you would have done pre-surgery.

I remember how frustrating it was, I was in a permanent foul mood for about 3 months because I was so fed up of the after effects of surgery, so you're definitely not alone in feeling the way you do. Unfortunately I can't really explain how I managed because I don't think I did a particularly good job - my boyfriend got shouted at for no reason and I cursed an awful lot just because I was fed up! The only thing I can say is that it will get better and that talking to a sympathetic friend really helps!

One of my surgery buddies had some success with accupuncture - I haven't tried it yet but that's simply because there is no therapist in my town. I'm moving to the city in a few months so I might try it then - it can't hurt to try! I lived with ice packs strapped to my jaw for the first few months, not because of pain or discomfort but because I could feel them whereas I couldn't feel normal touch. I have no idea if this helped or hindered but I found it comforting, so you could try something like that? Just experiment and see what works for you

I think that because this surgery changed the way I look and how I eat, it will always be a part of my life. I am so, so, so glad I did it. I can eat without worrying now, and my profile is a hundred times better. I think in a few years time maybe I'll think about it less, but as I'm still seeing my orthodontist for check ups I'm still aware of everything. Does that make sense?

I hope this is some help. At 7 weeks you're still early on so please don't be too down about things. Everyone's recovery is different and ok, I've still got some numbness, but I honestly don't notice it anymore. You'll get through this!

[suzyscientist]

I forgot to say - I think your surgeon is right. The numb spot was much larger at first and got a lot better after the 3 month mark, when it became apple-seed sized. The only reason I know it's there is because I spent a lot of time prodding my tongue looking for numb spots

[Bomb]

thanks suzy,

it sure helps blogging with someone who has gone through this and can relate. I am so sick of this whole thing, I want my normal life back and wonder if it will ever be "normal". I never knew I had problems until the Fall of 2010. I cracked a molar and my dentist discovered other fractures in several teeth. He said it was because of my overbite. I had the molar removed and an implant post put in (although no tooth until braces come off). Then I went to see an Ortho to see if my teeth could be straightened. I never thought I had ugly teeth and certainly never felt like my chin was placed too far back to make me self concious of my appearance. Especially at 50 years old. So my motive was purely out of fear of losing my teeth. The Ortho said he could help, but I would also have to have surery. And so the journey began. What is so odd is that this whole thing was not life threatening and I had no serious motive for changing my appearance. I thought it would be nice to have a better smile with straight and white teeth, but honestly I lived with then for 50 years so that was not a big factor. I know I rushed into this as I am not one to wait around when I make a decision, but I sure wish I had done more reserach and had a second opinion. So, now I am dealing with the mess after 7 weeks and it is a mess. Always on my mind, and I can't seem to shake free of it. the risk of permanent damage is a constant worry and creates a lot of anxiety. my speech is awkward (I have been told it sounds fine but i notice a difference and thus, it affects how i perceive myself). did you lose any self confidence in the process?

I started taking St Johns Wort - and have thought about accupuncture. let me know if you try it.

I am glad you are happy with your results. I am going to focus on staying postive, patient and hopeful and look forward to a day I can say the same.

PS What is genio? Are you still in braces?

[suzyscientist]

Hi again

It definitely sounds like you might have rushed into this before you were ready! But that doesn't mean you made the wrong decision!

Please don't think that because it wasn't life threatening or limiting that it wasn't necessary. My underbite wasn't that bad, and my appearance never bothered me; I even had really straight teeth naturally, so none of this was necessary by your definition. But I still knew it was the best thing to do - eventually I would get pains in my jaw, my molars would get cracked and become worn down and my dental health would generally decline.

Again I have to say that 7 weeks is really early on. I was still feeling lousy at 7 weeks and that really affected my ability to evaluate the situation objectively. I know it's really hard but do try and keep the negative thinking at a minimum; it is the most important thing for your state of mind. Give yourself a break and give yourself time to recover. You've had major surgery! It will take time before you get back to normal mentally and physically.

Oh and your questions: I'm now out of fixed braces but wear retainers top and bottom when I'm not at work. Genio is a chin augmentation. Mine was shifted up and out a bit; by far the most invasive procedure I had!

Be kind to yourself for now and try to relax. Things will get better!