Dental paraesthesia is a set of abnormal sensations, in other words, changes in sensitivity, in a more or less defined area of the mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These sensations can include, for example, tingling, pins and needles or numbness, and they may be caused by damage or disease anywhere in the structures of the central or peripheral nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In most cases, paraesthesia is temporary and reversible, especially when it is caused by inflammation in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dental paraesthesia can also show up as any of the sensations above, as well as pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic paraesthesia in one area may be a symptom of an underlying neurological condition or traumatic damage to a nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main causes of dental paraesthesia are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nerves most often affected are the inferior alveolar nerve and the mental nerve, although the lingual nerve can also be involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As well as an odd feeling in the lip and the treated area, there may be burning, itching, tingling and numbness in the treated area, which can become complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There may be alternating periods of hypersensitivity and loss of sensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The symptoms can also be directly linked to the type of injury to the nerve or group of nerves involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In every case, the dentist will need to review the patient’s medical history carefully to rule out any unrelated causes. They will also need to monitor how the dental paraesthesia progresses on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paraesthesia is diagnosed at the dental practice, through a full medical history and based on the abnormal sensations the patient describes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Any changes in sensation the patient notices will also be checked regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The affected area is examined using mechanical, chemical and thermal tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dental paraesthesia occurs in between 2% and 8% of procedures, although only 0.5% of cases are irreversible, and these are usually linked to difficult molar extractions, such as wisdom teeth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can appear, for example, after extractions in the lower jaw, after root canal treatment or after an anaesthetic injection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common dental paraesthesias affect these nerves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an odd, unpleasant sensation to the touch in the area being treated. It usually comes with pain, discomfort or a generally uncomfortable feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dysaesthesia is reversible, and the sensations it causes can fade over the following weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In dentistry there is also occlusal dysaesthesia, or \u201cphantom bite\u201d, which appears after dental surgery. It feels as though you are pressing or straining your jaws and, in many cases, it causes pain when chewing, eating and drinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best way to prevent dental paraesthesia, whether reversible or irreversible, is to carry out a radiological study with digital radiology<\/a> before any oral or maxillofacial surgery<\/a> when there are signs that the inferior alveolar or mental nerve could be exposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you already have dental paraesthesia, we recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the lining of the mouth is affected by paraesthesia, saliva production may drop, which increases the risk of tooth decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other options for treating dental paraesthesia include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can take months, or even a year, for areas affected by paraesthesia to return to normal. On the other hand, paraesthesia that has not improved within 6 months is harder to resolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Dysaesthesia: what is it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treatment of dental paraesthesia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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