Balsan Station Dental Clinic: What If the Anesthesia Doesn’t Wear Off After Implant Surgery?

Balsan Station Dental Clinic: What If the Anesthesia Doesn’t Wear Off After Implant Surgery? Check 'This.'

365서울원탑치과 Director Kim Geun-il

Hello.

I am Kim Geun-il, director of 365서울원탑치과.

It has been half a day since my surgery,

but my jaw and lips still feel like they belong to someone else.

If the feeling that the anesthesia has not worn off continues after implant surgery

If your lower lip and the area around your chin still feel tingly and numb

even though plenty of time has passed for the anesthesia to wear off,

you will probably feel frightened right away.

I would like to explain why these symptoms occur

and what you should do right now.

To give you the conclusion first,

these symptoms are usually temporary,

and in many cases, people recover normally

as long as they receive prompt initial care,

so you do not need to feel overly anxious.

3 Reasons the Anesthesia May Not Wear Off After Implant Surgery

There are many blood vessels and nerves around our faces,

closely intertwined with one another.

In the molar area of the lower jaw (mandible),

a large nerve canal—the inferior alveolar nerve—passes through

and is responsible for sensation in the lips and the tip of the chin.

When extracting a lower molar, such as a wisdom tooth,

performing root canal treatment, or placing an implant,

dentists commonly use a deep anesthetic block

administered to the inferior alveolar nerve canal

before proceeding with treatment.

The time it takes for the anesthesia to wear off can vary from person to person.

It may last as little as 2–3 hours or, in some cases,

as long as 5–6 hours.

The reason sensation remains dull after surgery

is most likely that the inferior alveolar nerve has been irritated.

• Gum swelling (most common)

The inside of the gums may swell after surgery,

slightly compressing the nearby nerve canal.

As the swelling subsides after a few days, sensation naturally returns.

• Minor stress during surgery

The small nerves may be startled

while the cheek or gums are pulled

to secure a clear view during surgery.

• Close contact between the nerve canal and the implant

The implant (fixture) may be placed too close

to the nerve canal,

causing direct pressure on the nerve.

What if you experience symptoms like these after implant surgery?

Do not delay by massaging the area yourself

or taking over-the-counter medication from a pharmacy.

When nerve-related symptoms occur, prompt action is critical.

1. Contact your dentist immediately and visit the clinic (most important)

Inform the dental clinic where you had the surgery about your symptoms

and visit as soon as possible.

2. Have a 3D CT scan and receive appropriate treatment

The dental clinic should take a CT scan

to check whether the implant is pressing on the nerve.

If it is pressing on the nerve,

the implant may need to be slightly backed out,

or you may need to be prescribed medication to support nerve recovery

(such as anti-inflammatory drugs or vitamin B preparations).

To avoid experiencing these complications,

it is important to choose a dental clinic that can provide

thorough diagnostic evaluation before surgery

and prompt follow-up after surgery.

Example images illustrating the location of the inferior alveolar nerve. Filming location: 365서울원탑치과

1. Precise placement through computer analysis

Before surgery, use a 3D CT scan to identify the location of the nerve canal

down to the millimeter (mm),

then place the implant while fully securing a safe distance from the nerve canal.

2. Open 365 days a year, including holidays

Unexpected situations after implant surgery

can occur at night on weekends or public holidays as well.

This is also why I chose the name 365서울원탑치과

for the clinic.

Without gaps in care on holidays,

we can provide immediate diagnosis and treatment at any time,

and we are working to quickly ease our patients’ anxiety.

There is absolutely no need to suffer alone

and let fear grow over small changes

that appear after surgery.

If even slight numbness

or a tingling sensation continues,

please feel free to visit us at any time

for a checkup.

I am dentist Kim Geun-il.

Thank you.

📍 365서울원탑치과의원

4th Floor, Dongmyeong M Building, 179 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul

Balsan Station Dental Clinic / Gangseo-gu Dental Clinic / Hwagok Station Dental Clinic

1-minute walk from Exit 8 of Hwagok Station