After extraction, my lip and chin feel numb. Is it nerve damage?

Reduced sensation from local anesthesia usually goes away the same day. Numbness or tingling that lasts more than a few days is a signal to distinguish from the anesthetic, and the clinic that did the extraction should check its progress. The earlier you get seen, the better for deciding the treatment method and timing.

Is nerve damage from wisdom tooth extraction permanent?

Most cases are known to be temporary and recover over time. However, recovery time varies by case from several weeks to several months or more, and some cases of long-lasting altered sensation have been reported, so if it persists, see Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

I was told it's right next to the nerve. Can it still be extracted?

The decision is made after assessing the actual positional relationship between the roots and the nerve canal with 3D imaging such as CT. If proximity is confirmed, the case may be referred to an institution with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery or a surgical approach that reduces risk may be considered, along with an explanation of risks and a consent process before extraction.

After my upper wisdom tooth was removed, water leaks out through my nose. Why?

The roots of upper wisdom teeth are close to the maxillary sinus, so a sinus perforation connecting the mouth and the sinus can occur after extraction. If water leaks through the nose or air seems to pass through, you need care, and depending on its size, treatment such as stitching may be needed.

Which department should I see if I have altered sensation?

The usual first step is to have the clinic that did the extraction check it. If altered sensation continues or detailed assessment is needed, care is provided at a dental hospital or university hospital with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

← Wisdom teeth guide

Nerve Damage From Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Position of the Inferior Alveolar and Lingual Nerves, Recovery, and Checking With CT Beforehand

Published July 30, 2026 Updated July 30, 2026 Based on official HIRA and Ministry of Health and Welfare data and public sources

In the analysis of patient comments about Wisdom teeth, Nerve damage and aftereffects formed a question cluster of about 1,500 comments. Lower wisdom tooth roots can sit close to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves. Covers recovery from altered sensation and when to seek care, CT checks and referral, and signs of a sinus perforation. SOURCE Analysis of patient comments on YouTube dental content (DentStat) · public sources listed under References · Data as of June 28, 2026

Key facts

Nerves involved	Lower wisdom tooth roots can be close to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves ^[1]
Recovery	Most altered sensation is temporary: seek care if it lasts more than a few days ^[1]
Checking beforehand	If a panoramic X-ray shows proximity, CT assesses the position ^[1]
Difficult cases	Nerve proximity and full impaction are reasons for referral to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery ^[2]
Scale of analysis	1,500 patient comments on nerve damage and aftereffects ^[3]

Because the roots of lower wisdom teeth can be close to nerves running through the jawbone. Inside the lower jawbone runs the inferior alveolar nerve, which provides sensation to the lower lip and chin skin, and on the inner (tongue) side of the wisdom tooth runs the lingual nerve, which is related to sensation in the tongue [1]. When the roots of an impacted lower wisdom tooth are close to these nerves, the nerves can be irritated or damaged during extraction, causing altered sensation in the lips, chin, or tongue [1]. For upper wisdom teeth, the issue is not the nerve but the distance to the maxillary sinus (the air space beside the nose), and a sinus perforation connecting the mouth and the sinus sometimes occurs after extraction [1].

When DentStat analyzed 1,500 patient comments on nerve damage and aftereffects, anxiety about recovery time, such as “What if the feeling never comes back?”, and questions about how to check the risk before extraction came up repeatedly [3].

How often does nerve damage happen?

It is known as a rare complication, but reported rates vary with impaction depth, root shape, and study criteria, so it is hard to state a single figure [2]. The likelihood is not an average across “all wisdom tooth extractions” but depends on the imaging findings in each case, so the accurate way to understand it is to have your own risk explained based on how close the roots are to the nerve canal [2]. Difficult cases with confirmed nerve proximity carry relatively higher risk, and these are the cases referred to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery [1].

If altered sensation occurs, does it recover?

Most cases are known to be temporary and recover over time [1]. Reduced sensation from local anesthesia usually goes away the same day, so numbness, tingling, or burning that lasts more than a few days should be distinguished from anesthesia that has not fully worn off and needs care [1]. Recovery time varies with the degree of damage from several weeks to several months or more, and medication is sometimes tried along with monitoring, with the treatment method and timing decided through care [2]. If altered sensation is noticed, having the clinic that did the extraction record the condition early and follow its course provides the basis for later treatment decisions [2].

How is the risk checked before extraction?

If a panoramic X-ray shows signs of proximity, such as the roots appearing to overlap the nerve canal, CT (3D imaging) confirms the actual positional relationship [1]. If CT confirms proximity, the case may be referred to a dental hospital or university hospital with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, or a surgical approach that reduces nerve irritation may be considered [1][2]. Hearing an explanation of the possibility of nerve damage and signing a consent form before extraction is a standard explanation procedure, not a sign that the risk is especially high [2]. The comment analysis also found much anxiety from people who took the consent form itself as a danger signal [3].

What does it mean if water leaks through my nose after an upper wisdom tooth is removed?

It may be a sinus perforation and needs care [1]. The roots of upper wisdom teeth are close to the floor of the maxillary sinus, so an opening can form between the mouth and the sinus after extraction, and water leaking through the nose when drinking or a feeling of air passing through are known signs [1]. Small perforations sometimes heal on their own, but if symptoms persist, treatment such as stitching may be needed [1].

Common myths and facts

Myth: “Odd sensation just means the anesthesia hasn’t worn off” → Local anesthesia usually wears off the same day. Altered sensation lasting more than a few days is a separate signal that needs care [1].
Myth: “Removing a wisdom tooth near the nerve always causes lifelong numbness” → Most altered sensation is known to recover over time, and the likelihood and recovery time differ by case [1][2].
Myth: “Being asked to sign a consent form means it’s dangerous” → Explaining risks and obtaining consent before extraction is a standard procedure, and the actual risk should be explained based on imaging findings [2].

For an overview of when pain starts, aftercare, and health insurance criteria for wisdom tooth extraction, see the wisdom tooth guide. For dental clinics by region with board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, see Find a Dentist.

Frequently asked questions

After extraction, my lip and chin feel numb. Is it nerve damage?: Reduced sensation from local anesthesia usually goes away the same day. Numbness or tingling that lasts more than a few days is a signal to distinguish from the anesthetic, and the clinic that did the extraction should check its progress. The earlier you get seen, the better for deciding the treatment method and timing.
Is nerve damage from wisdom tooth extraction permanent?: Most cases are known to be temporary and recover over time. However, recovery time varies by case from several weeks to several months or more, and some cases of long-lasting altered sensation have been reported, so if it persists, see Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
I was told it's right next to the nerve. Can it still be extracted?: The decision is made after assessing the actual positional relationship between the roots and the nerve canal with 3D imaging such as CT. If proximity is confirmed, the case may be referred to an institution with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery or a surgical approach that reduces risk may be considered, along with an explanation of risks and a consent process before extraction.
After my upper wisdom tooth was removed, water leaks out through my nose. Why?: The roots of upper wisdom teeth are close to the maxillary sinus, so a sinus perforation connecting the mouth and the sinus can occur after extraction. If water leaks through the nose or air seems to pass through, you need care, and depending on its size, treatment such as stitching may be needed.
Which department should I see if I have altered sensation?: The usual first step is to have the clinic that did the extraction check it. If altered sensation continues or detailed assessment is needed, care is provided at a dental hospital or university hospital with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

Find a dental clinic

Compare dental clinics by area and treatment in the area shortlists, or see nationwide figures in dental clinic statistics for South Korea.

References

National Health Information Portal: Wisdom Tooth Extraction · Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)
Clinical Information on Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction and Nerve Damage · Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Analysis of Patient Comments on YouTube Dental Content: Wisdom Teeth, Nerve Damage and Aftereffects, 1,500 Comments (collected 2026-06-28) · DentStat (Osamil Inc.)

This content is general information based on public sources and does not replace diagnosis, prescription or treatment for any individual. If you have symptoms, consult a dentist.