Dental implants are very useful for people looking for functional artificial teeth. But, you should explore your options inside and out and understand that dental implants do come with risks, and you may experience some new sensations afterward. Tingling is one such sensation, so keep reading to learn why you may feel this and how your dentist can work to reduce the issue.
Why Do You Feel Tingling After Dental Implant Placement?
There are a great deal of nerves in your mouth that help you to feel sensations. The nerves are located deep in the soft tissues where they are protected from damage. However, an implant procedure can damage these nerves due to the deep nature of the operation. Damage may be the result of blunt force or one of the nerves may become compressed by the implant hardware.
You may experience a few different types of sensations within and around the mouth when nerves are damaged or compressed. Numbness may be felt around the lips and gums or you may feel a tingling sensation. Tingling sensations are usually the result of damaged nerves that are still able to receive and transmit some, but not all, messages.
Sometimes, the tingling may actually occur due to the way your dentist injects the anesthetic into the mouth. If a nerve is hit directly by the needle, then this can cause nerve damage, but this is typically far less severe than the type of issues that develop from the surgery itself.
How Can Your Dentist Resolve The Issue?
Tingling sensations are sometimes temporary and your dentist may take a conservative "wait and see" approach if the problem is mild. However, if your lips are completely numb or if tingling is spread out across the mouth and face, then your implant will be repositioned. Repositioning helps to take pressure off the nerve so it can heal.
In some cases, your dental professional may need to remove the implant completely. And, the device can be placed at a later date. This is something that may be necessary if the dentist is unsure about which nerve has been affected by the implant procedure.
Some nerve mapping may be necessary to better pinpoint the nerves in your mouth. This will help to locate present nerve damage and it can prevent future issues.
If you want to know more about tingling sensations and why they develop after dental implant procedures, speak with a dental professional.