Obviously trusting my endodontist and not fully trusting random strangers on CB 😉 but I am now about 36hrs post-root canal and still experiencing a strong tingling numbness on a small 2x2in section of my lip and chin pretty far away from the molar that had the work done. The rest of the mouth including tongue/gums woke up with a couple hours as expected. My understanding from the endodontist is that this is nerve trauma from the anesthesia and is uncommon but not completely rare. He mapped it out this morning at the 24hr mark and thinks it should be on the shorter end, maybe a few weeks. It’s already changing to more of a tingling feeling rather than full numbness, so I’ll take that as a good sign. I have a follow-up in two weeks to check in on the status.

My endodontist seems really good and has been helpful when I can get in touch, but I don’t want to bug him for random little questions. This is the only significant dental work I’ve ever had so I’m a bit new to all of this. If there is an expert here who can help provide some unofficial advice on a few questions, that would mean a lot for my peace of mind!

1. What warning signs should I be looking for that might indicate permanent or more long-term damage to the nerve?

2. What are some of the indicators that the nerve is actually recovering? Is it this transition to the more tingly sensation?

3. How frequently does this end up actually being permanent? My endo said he’s never seen it last longer than a few months, but googling (cardinal sin of being a patient) estimates 1 in 100000. How are the odds?

Considering this is (luckily, knock on wood) really my first health “issue” despite being in my mid-thirties, I’m sure I’m just overreacting. But any extra info or direction to helpful resources would be awesome. Seems like 90% of google results are just malpractice firms trying to make a buck off of stuff like this, which I’m not interested in.