I had a tooth extracted and bone inmplanted in my lower left jaw 4 weeks ago. my chin and lip on that side are still numb. is it unusual to still be numb?

Have : Have you spoken to the surgeon who did the extraction and the bone graft? Paresthesia is a complicaion of any surgery. That being said, only the surgeon knows exactly what was done. Your surgeon is best prepared to monitor your situation and answer your question. Please call and see him monday morning.

Surgery : Surgery in the lower jaw carries risk of injury to the sensory nerve (mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve). This injury leads to numbness to the teeth, gums, lip and chin on the affect side an can be temporary or permanent. Nerves heal at a slow rate and it may take several months for the paresthesia to resolve. If there is evidence that the nerve was cut, then a possible nerve transplant procedure should be discussed. I am not sure who performed the procedure, but i would recommend a referral to a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon if you have not already seen one.