Nerve Injuries

Facial nerves in the jaws, teeth, gums, lips, and tongue can be damaged by facial trauma or dental procedures, such as root canal fillings, jaw surgery, and adverse reactions to local anesthesia. The nerves are a crucial part of human bodies that supply sensation to various areas, and when a nerve is damaged, Dr. Karas will select the right method of treatment for your condition and perform surgery to restore sensation and movement to the affected area.

Types of Nerve Injuries

A nerve injury can cause a variety of sensations, most of which are unpleasant, such as numbness, tingling, burning, or hypersensitivity in the area. These sensations can interfere with your ability to chew, speak, drink liquids, kiss, or clean and shave your face. Some nerve injuries heal on their own following a surgical procedure, but if you are experiencing these sensations for more than 1 month following surgery, the nerve will likely not heal and may require treatment.

There are several times of nerve injuries:

• Compression of the nerve by a natural element (tooth, bony fragments, scar tissue) or foreign material (bone fixation screws, plates, wires)
• Burns from corrosive medications or root canal filling materials
• Stretching from trauma or manipulation during surgery
• Partial or complete severance of the nerve causing a discontinuity or the growth of a neuroma (a painful mass of nerve tissue)

Treatment for Nerve Injuries

During your first visit to Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery in Walnut Creek, CA, Dr. Karas will evaluate your condition. We may take 3D scans of your facial structures and explain your treatment options in detail so that you can make an informed decision about the next steps to take. Our practice also offers anesthesia and sedation for any surgical procedure in order to keep every patient comfortable and at ease.

The different types of treatment for nerve injuries that we offer are as follows:

• Decompression. Your surgeon relieves the nerve of any material pressing against it.
• Nerve Grafting. The lost portion of the nerve is replaced by a sensory nerve graft, which is taken from either the lower leg or neck.
• Neurolysis. Scar tissue inside of the nerve is removed.
• Suturing. Two ends of a severed nerve are held in place with stitches.
• Removal. Abnormal nerve tissue or neuromas are removed entirely.

The team at Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery is here to walk you through every step of your treatment. Nerves are delicate, and we understand the anxiety that can accompany any type of surgical procedure. Dr. Karas is board-certified and holds both dental and medical degrees, in addition to his years of experience treating nerve injuries. At our practice, you are in excellent hands.

To learn about how Dr. Karas and his team can restore sensation to a damaged facial nerve, please contact our office in Walnut Creek, CA, to schedule an appointment.