injection problem

[apple264]

My husband went to the dentist 2 days ago and had a molar pulled and was told to come back next week for bridge work.  When he had the novacain he experienced a sensation that went up into his nose and sinuses.  Now is is left with a very very runny nose on the same side that the tooth was pulled and feeling like he constantly has to sneeze.  Took medications to help with the runny nose and nothing has helped.  Is this some kind of nerve damage?  Thank you for your help.

[scottma]

The presenting symptoms are not consistent with nerve injury, wait for another 24 hours, they probably will resolve.

[KDS444]

This reaction appears to be the result of unintended stimulation of the trigeminal nerve network following the wearing off of the anaesthesia.  Basically, your sinus mistake the return of sensation to your nasal passages as the presence of particulate matter there and try to expel it by sneezing.  The same reaction can happened following any medical procedure that causes temporary numbness to the sinuses, such as optical surgery.  There is some evidence that antihistamine medications may help calm this nerve network temporarily and let it get used to feeling air moving over it again.  The only other treatment is time.  Most dentists and doctors do not consider persistent sneezing following such a procedure to be a medical concern, no matter how annoying it may be to you!

[KDS444]

Also: anything at all which stimulates the sinuses will tend to exacerbate this response, including the sinuses' own fluids meant to wash away the imaginary particulate.  Talking can make it worse, since talking causes vibrations which can be felt in the sinuses.  Rapid head movement can cause it worsen, and any breathing of air through the nose can worsen it.  You can mitigate the reflexive response by drying out the sinuses with antihistamines, not talking, and plugging your nose with tissue paper to prevent you from breathing through it and to absorb draining fluids, but it is VERY difficult to voluntarily prevent the sinus from getting any stimulation at all because even minor variations in air pressure caused by swallowing can set them off again and once you sneeze, you cause a lighteningbolt of stimulation to hit those sinus nerves!    Ideally, you will want to hold very still, not breathe through your nose, not talk, and not swallow for at least a few hours.  But good luck doing those things.

[scottma]

Dear apple264:
      Nerve damage through dental injection is highly unlikely. If your husband perceives liquid in the nose while consumption of liquid, it's probably that there is an oroantral communication present. Please go to see your dentist to manage the condition asap. The way i manage is to place colla-plug in the extraction site and suture the wound. So far, all patients heal uneventfully. Good luck
Regards

[lkh11723]

Did you ever find out what happened to your husband?  I was at the dentist yesterday and received several injections.  As soon as the anesthetic started to wear off, I started sneezing and also have very runny nose on the same side as the injection.

[Giantsfan1]

I had the same thing happen! Dental work 2 days ago and the last injection shot up into my nose a sinus like an electrical shock. Have had a runny nose on that side since. Constantly blowing it and feeling like I have to sneeze.