Causes of numbness and tingling in lips
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Dental Causes of Lip Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling in the lips are often linked to dental procedures and conditions. Common causes include local anesthetic injections, wisdom tooth extractions, root canal treatments, dental implants, and other oral surgeries. These procedures can affect the inferior alveolar nerve or mental nerve, leading to temporary or sometimes prolonged numbness and tingling in the lower lip area. Even untreated dental issues, such as a carious (decayed) mandibular premolar, can cause similar symptoms by impacting nearby nerves 127.
Nerve Injury and Neuropathy: Mental Nerve and Inferior Alveolar Nerve
Direct injury or irritation of the mental nerve or inferior alveolar nerve is a frequent cause of lip numbness and tingling. This can occur from surgical procedures on the inner aspect of the lower lip, as the nerve fibers travel close to the surface and are easily affected. There is no completely safe area for surgery on the inner lower lip if avoiding numbness is a priority . Additionally, mental nerve neuropathy, also known as Numb Chin Syndrome, is characterized by numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the lower lip and chin, and can be caused by trauma, dental procedures, or even underlying medical conditions .
Endodontic Material Extrusion and Paresthesia
Root canal treatments can sometimes result in the extrusion of endodontic materials into or near the inferior alveolar canal. This can cause numbness and tingling in the lower lip, chin, and surrounding areas. The symptoms may be temporary or persist for years, depending on the extent of nerve involvement and the management of the case. Imaging techniques like cone beam computed tomography are useful for confirming the presence of extruded material and its relationship to the nerve 27.
Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Neuropathy
Certain chemotherapeutic agents are known to cause oral and perioral neuropathy, leading to numbness and tingling in the lips, tongue, and surrounding areas. Drugs such as platinum-based chemotherapeutics, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, immunomodulatory, and alkylating agents can all contribute to these symptoms by affecting nerve function in the oral region .
Trigeminal Neuralgia and Systemic Causes
Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the lips, gums, cheeks, and chin. It may be triggered by nerve compression, injury, or other underlying health issues. While treatments can relieve pain, numbness may persist after surgical interventions . Systemic diseases, such as cancer with metastasis to the jaw, can also cause mental nerve neuropathy and result in numbness and tingling in the lips .
Conclusion
Numbness and tingling in the lips can result from a variety of causes, most commonly dental procedures, nerve injury, endodontic material extrusion, chemotherapeutic agents, and neurological conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. Accurate diagnosis and management depend on identifying the underlying cause, often with the help of imaging and clinical evaluation. Most cases improve with appropriate treatment, but some may require long-term management or specialist care 1234567.
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