Droopy Face 5 days after root canal, nerve damage?

[RC99]

Hello,

I have severe dental phobia, and unfortunately some of my worst fears seem to have come true. I had a broken lower molar which became infected. After 7 days of antibiotics and my morning Valium I went in for a root canal. Apparently the tooth was still quite infected at the root and the dentist was having difficulty numbing the area. After a few rounds of numbing injections, her last resort was 3 direct shots of anesthetic directly into my root pulp, which was excruciatingly painful.

While I was waiting for the crown to be made, I took a break and noticed in the mirror I had significant drooping and swelling on the right side of my face. Two days later nothing had changed so I went in for a follow up. The dentist assured me all was normal and said the swelling would reduce in the next couple of days. Today is day 5 after the procedure and the swelling is just a bit better, but my face is still slightly drooping. My cheek appears extremely “flat” and my nasolabial fold is flat. I’m able to move my face with no issues but my face seems to be just “hanging” on that side.

What should I do? Follow up with some sort of specialist? Could this be nerve damage? The side I had worked on is still sore and aches which I’m assuming is from the aggressive treatment. I also have slight tingling in my jaw which comes and goes.

 

[drhirst]

Hi RC99,
This does not sound like nerve damage, more likely the lack of nasolabial fold is due to some swelling still persisting. I suspect it will gradually resolve itself. If it does not seem to be slowly moving in the right direction let your dentist check it over.
Lincoln