Nerve Injuries
Restore Sensation and Movement
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 or Dr. Williams 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 or Dr. Williams 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 and Dr. Williams are board-certified and hold both dental and medical degrees, in addition to their years of experience treating nerve injuries. At our practice, you are in excellent hands.
To learn about how Dr. Karas, Dr. Williams, and their team can restore sensation to a damaged facial nerve, please contact our office in Walnut Creek, CA, to schedule an appointment.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Nerve Injuries and other procedures.
Dr. Cynthia Stephenson
Walnut Creek
"I really respect and appreciate the fact that Dr. Karas is an MD. He's up-to-date with all the latest techniques, and he's really committed to what he does, and he really is committed to being the best he can be, and it shows in his care. I will continue to refer my patients to Dr. Karas."
"When I first walked into the practice, I felt refreshed. It's a very new and modern environment and everybody was really welcoming at the front desk. Dr. Karas for me from the moment I met him just made me feel like family. Very warm, very professional."
"When I first met Dr. Karas, I was impressed by his knowledge and the fact that he had seen every scenario when it had came to wisdom teeth. I felt very welcomed and like I was in good hands, that he knew he was doing, and he clearly answered all my questions. "
"When I first met Dr. Karas, I was very impressed. He was friendly. He was direct, explained everything that he was going to do before he did it."
"Dr. Karas' staff has always been very professional, very helpful, very welcoming. Dr. Karas is a very open and very friendly doctor. He has been very thorough in his explanations of what he's doing."
"When I first walked into the practice, it was check you in, sit down, and in a few minutes, you're seeing the doctor. Dr. Karas exudes confidence and makes you feel comfortable throughout the entire procedure. Recovery was quick. I, at this point, couldn't even tell you which teeth are implants and which ones aren't implants."
"When I came in here—meeting with the staff and everybody in the office, I knew I had made the right choice. Dr. Karas always gives the explanation that gives confidence to me in what the result will be."
"Dr. Karas, he's an amazing individual, professional, but most of all, a caring person. My procedure, it went well."
" When I first walked into this practice, I felt that I was the most important person in that moment, and that was important to me. Dr. Karas has a way of relating to his patients. I felt comfortable with him in terms of his professionalism and care. The staff explained everything to me and made me feel at ease."
How Can We Help You?
Contact our office to schedule an appointment or use the buttons below to learn more about our practice.