hi im 28 years and just had jaw surgery few days ago which my jaw broken form 2 side one is on my gum right by my right side chin and the other is far left by my ear. my first question is i had surgery 2 days after my jaw got broken and i like to know if that will make any effect on my jaw nerves to get damage? as my lower lip and chin is numbless second my dr said they might upen 2 side wire as my injury wasnt very major. but about the plate how long will it takes to get disappear, i mean by getting heal or are they going to remove it? also how long will it take that i get my lower lip n lower chin feels back, its numb at this moment? thanks alot and appreciate your concerns :)
Hi.numbness of lower lip and chin after trauma can be seen due to following reasons.1.impingement of mental nerve between the fracture fragment 2.injury to mental nerve during the surgery such as injury during reflection of flap 3.impingement of plate over the nerve. Recovery from nerve injuries depends upon the extent of injury, if it is due to minor compression or traction of nerve(neuropraxia), recovery will take place in 3 to 6 months. If it is neurosis(severance of nerve) kind of injury, then full recovery doesn't takes place. Take vitamins which promote nerve growth factors and wait for 3 to 6 months. Plate is generally not removed, until it is secondarily infected. If it is bioresorbable plate it may disappear by itself, if it is stainless steel or titanium plates, it will remain as such. Wish u good health