If you are experiencing numbness or tingling sensations and are worried that a nerve has been damaged during your dental treatment, you may be wondering how long it will take to get better.
Dental nerve damage can happen during certain dental procedures, including tooth extraction and implant surgery. Some injuries improve over time, while others can cause symptoms that last for months or, in some rare cases, become permanent.
It’s difficult to say exactly how long dental nerve damage takes to heal, as every nerve injury is different. The type and severity of the injury, the nerve affected, and the treatment you have received can all affect your recovery. A dental professional can assess your symptoms and help explain what you can expect.
In this guide, we look at how dental nerve damage can affect you, how long recovery may take, and some of the signs that a damaged nerve may be recovering.
If you believe your nerve was damaged because your dental treatment was carried out negligently, our expert team may be able to help you make a dental negligence claim.
To discuss your claim, please complete our online claims form or call 0800 152 2039.
How long does nerve damage take to heal?
If your oral nerves have become damaged during dental treatment, there is no set recovery time. How long it takes to heal can differ depending on several factors, including:
- The nerve affected, such as the trigeminal, alveolar or lingual nerve
- The type and severity of the nerve injury
- Where along the nerve the damage occurred
- Whether the treatment was successful or further procedures are required
- How quickly the injury is assessed and treated
- Other health conditions that may affect healing
- The age and general health of the patient
A mild nerve injury may improve over days or weeks, while more significant injuries can take several months or longer to recover. In some rare cases, nerve damage may be permanent.
Compression injuries, where pressure has been placed on a nerve, may recover more easily than injuries where the nerve itself has been seriously damaged. A severely damaged or severed nerve may require specialist treatment or surgery.
If you have developed numbness, tingling, burning, altered sensation or pain after dental treatment, speak to your dentist or another healthcare professional. They can assess your symptoms and advise whether further investigation or treatment is needed.
What are the signs that damaged nerves are healing?
As a damaged nerve starts to recover, you may notice changes in your symptoms. These can sometimes feel unusual or uncomfortable.
Possible signs of nerve recovery can include:
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Changes in sensation or areas of numbness becoming smaller
- Short bursts of shooting or unusual sensations
- Changes in sensitivity
- A gradual return of normal sensation
However, these symptoms can also be caused by the nerve damage itself. Experiencing tingling or pain does not necessarily mean that a nerve is healing.
For this reason, if you experience ongoing or unusual symptoms, it is important to get them assessed by a dental professional or GP rather than trying to judge the progress of your recovery yourself. They can properly assess your symptoms and advise whether further investigation or treatment may be needed.
When should I see a dentist about nerve damage?
If you develop numbness, tingling, burning, altered sensation or persistent pain following dental treatment, speak to your dentist or another healthcare professional.
This is particularly important if:
- Your symptoms are severe or getting worse
- You have lost sensation in your tongue, lip, chin or face
- You are experiencing ongoing or worsening pain
- Your symptoms are affecting your ability to eat, speak or carry out everyday activities
- Your symptoms have not started to improve
Dental nerve damage does not necessarily mean that your treatment was negligent. Some procedures carry a recognised risk of nerve injury, even when appropriate care has been provided. The NHS notes that nerve damage is a known possible complication of wisdom tooth removals, for example.
However, if your symptoms have developed following treatment and you are concerned about what happened, it is reasonable to ask your dentist to explain the cause and likely outlook for your injury.
Can I claim compensation for dental nerve damage?
If your nerve was damaged because your dental treatment fell below the standard of care you should expect, you may be able to make a dental negligence claim.
However, not every case of dental nerve damage is caused by negligence. Some procedures carry a known risk of nerve injury, even when appropriate care has been provided.
David Corless-Smith, Joint Managing Director at the Dental Law Partnership, says:
‘Nerve damage following a dental procedure is deeply distressing, especially when it affects basic daily activities like speaking, eating, and drinking. While nerve injuries are a recognised risk of some dental procedures, it is important to understand whether the treatment was carried out to the appropriate standard of care and whether the risks were properly explained beforehand. In many cases we review, the damage occurred because a clinician failed to take necessary pre-operative X-rays or used improper techniques. If you are concerned about your symptoms or the treatment you have received, seeking early clinical advice and specialist legal guidance can help you understand your options.’
A successful dental negligence claim usually involves establishing:
- Substandard care: Whether the dentist failed to plan or carry out the procedure safely (e.g., placing an implant too close to the nerve canal).
- Failure to inform: Whether the risks of nerve damage were properly explained to you beforehand so you could give informed consent.
- Avoidable harm: Whether the injury could have been reasonably avoided with proper skill and technique.
If you believe your dentist caused nerve damage through negligent treatment, the Dental Law Partnership may be able to help.
We understand that dealing with ongoing pain, numbness or changes in sensation can be difficult. Our team can assess your circumstances and explain whether you may have grounds for a dental negligence claim.
Start your claim online today or request a callback to speak with a member of our team.