A surgeon extracted my lower first molar. The injection has still not worn off after five hours. The condition is somewhat better than it was, because I could not close my eye at all. My cheek and lower jaw are numb. I am very worried because I have already had similar experiences on the opposite side of the jaw. I have been taking B-complex. What should I do if the condition does not improve? Best regards, Vida

Dear Sir/Madam!

Anaesthesia in the lower jaw is a nerve block. The anaesthetised area is quite large (the skin of the chin, half of the lower lip, all teeth in the lower jaw on one side, half of the tongue), and the effect lasts several hours. The cause of temporary immobility of half of the face (eye closure) is temporary facial nerve paresis, due to the effect of adrenaline added to the anaesthetic, and it usually resolves before the anaesthetic effect wears off. The condition you describe is something usual five hours after the procedure. Facial nerve paresis is a somewhat rarer occurrence, but it is not a cause for concern. Comparison with the opposite side, where there was apparently nerve damage during extraction (mandibular nerve), is inappropriate for the time being.

Have a nice day!