How Long Will It Take for Your Nerves to Heal After a Jaw Surgery?
Posted on 1/15/2024 by Treasure Valley Oral & Facial Surgery
Jaw surgery focuses on different areas of the face comprising other nerves linked to facial sensitivity. While technological advancements make it easy to detect these nerves to avoid damaging them, traction forces and slight trauma on some nerve endings may occur during jaw surgery, affecting small areas of the face. Fortunately, the nerves controlling facial muscle movement do not pass through the regions that jaw surgery addresses. There are no risks of facial paralysis due to this type of surgery.
What Is the Recovery Time?
In exceptional cases, the recovery time for your nerves post-jaw surgery is variable, from 30 days to 12 months or even years. Nerves can regenerate after damage, and numbness will disappear when this process is complete. Follow the instructions of your dental surgeon as to when you can perform specific post-surgical exercises to improve the recovery process.
Can the Nerve Damage Be Permanent?
After jaw surgery, you may experience numbness of your lower lip and chin due to the interference of the nerves supplying sensation to these areas, but the effect is often temporary. After a few weeks, normal nerve functions will resume in these areas, with only a tiny percentage of cases being permanent.
Permanent numbness cases post-jaw surgery are rare, and affected patients can still move these areas despite the lack of sensitivity. Over time, these patients will get accustomed to it and will often have no regrets about the surgery. Most of the time, the positives outweigh the inconveniences.
Contact Us for Post-Jaw Surgery Queries
The probability of suffering permanent nerve damage after jaw surgery is rare, and working with oral and maxillofacial surgeons with the experience and skill to do the job will further reduce the chances. However, the effects are short-lived, and you will later appreciate the surgical benefits. To ensure the best experience post-surgery, contact us today and schedule your appointment.
Jaw surgery focuses on different areas of the face comprising other nerves linked to facial sensitivity. While technological advancements make it easy to detect these nerves to avoid damaging them, traction forces and slight trauma on some nerve endings may occur during jaw surgery, affecting small areas of the face. Fortunately, the nerves controlling facial muscle movement do not pass through the regions that jaw surgery addresses. There are no risks of facial paralysis due to this type of surgery.