Lidocaine Wisdom Tooth Removal, New Dentist, Root Canal Procedure, Root Canals, Optic Nerve
Posted over a year ago
After being injected with lidocaine during a root canal procedure, the vision in one of my eyes was beyond distorted (the side they were working on). I had 3 injections prior to prep the tooth which is located upper right near the wisdom tooth. An hour into the procedure, I began to feel the doctor working on the tooth. So I wouldn't experience major pain, he then injected me one more time in the roof of my mouth. Within seconds, I noticed my vision was in that eye was beyond blurry. It was like I was seeing cross eyed, but my eyes were not physically crossed and my vision was distorted beyond belief. This totally freaked me out and lasted for a few hours until the lidocaine wore off. I have had a few root canals and dental work over the course of the years, but they used carbocaine instead, because I get too jittery with regular novacaine. Therefore no epi. What makes matters worse, is that they were unable to finish the root canal procedure, because it freaked me out so bad and my vision was messed up, that I was sent to the ER. I was told that he must have hit an optic nerve during the injection which most likely caused this situation and they were categorizing it as a possible allergic reaction, but again feel as though it was just the optic nerve that the lidocaine traveled to. Now I have to finish the rest of the root canal a week from now and will be having another dentist perform it. I'm so frightened that this will happen again. I honestly thought that my vision wouldn't be restored back to normal. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? ... more »
After being injected with lidocaine during a root canal procedure, the vision in one of my eyes was beyond distorted (the side they were working on). I had 3 injections prior to prep the tooth which is located upper right near the wisdom tooth. An hour into the procedure, I began to feel the doctor working on the tooth. So I wouldn't experience major pain, he then injected me one more time in the roof of my mouth. Within seconds, I noticed my vision was in that eye was beyond blurry. It was like I was seeing cross eyed, but my eyes were not physically crossed and my vision was distorted beyond belief. This totally freaked me out and lasted for a few hours until the lidocaine wore off. I have had a few root canals and dental work over the course of the years, but they used carbocaine instead, because I get too jittery with regular novacaine. Therefore no epi. What makes matters worse, is that they were unable to finish the root canal procedure, because it freaked me out so bad and my vision was messed up, that I was sent to the ER. I was told that he must have hit an optic nerve during the injection which most likely caused this situation and they were categorizing it as a possible allergic reaction, but again feel as though it was just the optic nerve that the lidocaine traveled to. Now I have to finish the rest of the root canal a week from now and will be having another dentist perform it. I'm so frightened that this will happen again. I honestly thought that my vision wouldn't be restored back to normal. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?
Thanks.
Roxgary - I'm not sure if I had Lidocane, I think it was just novacain. The dentist injected the shot into the lower right side of my mouth and it wasn't getting numb fast enough so he injected more after about 10 minutes. They do use a 'short acting novacain' on me because the regular kind lasts for 6-8 hours. Shortly after injecting the second shot my right eye was unable to close. When I tried to close both eyes the right one remained open and I had to manually (with my finger) close my right eye. It was so crazy. Once I had the eyes closed, the right eye would stay closed but every time I opened both eyes and then tried to close them again the right eye had to be closed manually. It lasted for about 45 minutes. The 'short acting novacain' still lasted 5 hours. Something similar happened to me 5 years ago also that was even scarier!! I got novacain in the lower left side of my mouth and within a few minutes my Right Eye was not able to open. I wondered if I was having a stroke. I got the work done on my tooth and I drove home but I had to hold my eye open to see while I drove. I really shouldn't have driven but I didn't know what the heck was happening. My eye felt strange for about two hours that time. Unfortunately I had to have work done again on that same area of my mouth a year later. This time I was prepared and had my husband drive. It happened just the same as the previous time. It's very strange!! I need to do some research before I ever have novacain in the lower part of my jaw from now on. Anyone else know about this?
Natty123 - Hi there
I am on day 6 with blurred vision and a severe headache after getting a lidocaine injection for prep work for a crown. The eye above the jag site is affected and the lower half of my eye is completely blurred with no vision. My headache has not went away at all and migraine tables etc don't work.
I phoned my dentist on day 4 as i was getting concerned and was looking for some advice. She had not heard of this happening before and i went in for her to check the jag site to make sure there was not any bruising.
Yesterday, day 5, i went to my optican to check this out and after 1 hour and series of tests she was totally baffled as my eye looked healthy. I was sent directly to the hospital for further tests. They think that i may have a blocked nerve. I have just read that this could be caused by the needle damaging the nerve or the fluid was injected to quickly.
Right now i don't have an answer to when this will go away but i'm booked in for more tests at the hospital tomorrow. It's pretty scarey as it's not getting any better at all, i'm just hoping that it is not pernament. I have been advised not to drive at the moment which is causing problems to my family life.
Any comments/advice would be appreciated.
Lefty777 - Hello scorpion, #37094, I can't believe someone has had a similar reaction to me, only today I had my teeth cleaned and I went cross-eyed after the injections!! It was the most frightening thing to experience. Becuase my teeth are very sensitive I always have injections to elleviate the pain, however these injections {which I thought he administered quite deep & made my eyes water} left my cross-eyed for at least 1.5 minutes. it was scary!!! I really appreciate your information, and yes I'm rather scared about having another cleaning in the next few weeks.
Lisaherringrn - I had an injection of lidocane on the upper right side of my jaw prior to getting a cavity filled. the following day, i experience numbness and tingling on the left side hands, arm and feet, also on the right hand. What is up with that. any comments welcome.
thanks.
Crazeecrew - I was just at the dentist this morning and when they shot me to numb my bottom jaw I felt it ping all around my jaw and out through my nose I swear. It hurt like hell, which I've never thought the shots hurt. Then all of a sudden I realized I was crosseyed!! It seemed like I could see fine out of one eye, but the eye on the side of the shot was definately crossed and everything looked all blurry. I was really scared that i might have perminent vision damage I was trying not to cry! (I'm preggo so I can't help but cry over everything!) Then when the dentist says 'huh I've never heard of that happening before! (Like it was no big deal) was NOT comforting! Luckily, my vision did come back after about ten minutes. SCARY!!
Ksgirl - I have had this happen also. While my mouth was packed with cotton and I couldn't speak, during wisdom tooth removal from a totally insensitive dentist. I am glad I got a new dentist now. And I was horrified also while it was happening, and sure I had gone blind due to his badly placed injection. I couldn't imagine what had happened that day, couldn't speak. Ghastly.
Adymarsh - I have just had my tooth filled, after the first injection, the dentist asked me " Is It numb yey, any tingling in your tongue?" I said "No". So he gave me another, that sort of worked, I don't think they wait long enough before starting work. When I was a child my old dentist used to send me In the waiting room for ten minutes. I have been home 15 mins now and my mouth is double the numbness as it was in the dentist. I am writing this post as when I left the dentist I felt really dizzy and like I was dreaming (weird, eh!) I am wondering if any one else felt woozy when they left??
Deb1 - I am totally terrified of the dentist due to insensitive dental treatment I had in childhood. Just been to a new dentist and the injections didn't hurt and the procedures (an extraction and filling on one visit, just a filling the second) were done carefully and gently. I let the dentist know of my terror, my nightmares for a week before going etc my efforts at self help for fear, etc. She could see me visibly shaking. She was very kind and gentle always checking that I was ok during the treatments. I cant believe I got through it as my fear was so intense and crippling. One thing I will say however is that for my final single filling I had a different dentist and she began work within minutes of the injection even though I said it seemed to kick in with me very slowly. I did get a twinge or two and stopped her to let her know this. She proceeded with care and we got through it. However I was twice as numb half an hour later once I had got home as I had been at the dentist with even part of my left ear then went numb aswell as the left side of my face and lips as you would expect. (Had injection on lower left at the back). I agree that I think some of them don't wait long enough before starting the work, but you must TELL THEM if you are not numb enough as we all react differently. Even fear can slow the process. Anyway its wearing off now and I'm so glad I found the courage to go at all. Ask around and do a little digging for info, if you can find someone gentle and understanding then no matter how phobic or terrified you are you will be OK with a sympathetic dentist. It is not like it used to be "back in the day" and going to the dentist is "doable". If I can do it, believe me, YOU can.
Chowbella1 - I went to have a cavity filled by my new dentist. He injected me with novacain and it was an intense pain. I have had my share of dental work and the injection didnt feel right. When i sat up my vision became very blurry and I felt like I was having a hot flash. A few minutes later my vision was less blurry but I was completely cross eyed. A few minutes later the side of my face that was injected lost all it's color. I was still cross eyed and now panicking. The doctor told me I was probably allergic to latex. I'm not allergic to latex and I was now worried he had no clue what was going on. I continued to see double for 15 minutes while I was put on Oxygen. It was the worst experience I have ever been through.
Antonicalpu - Hello, I just stumbled across this blog and I must say I am SHOCKED! I myself was injected with Lidocaine AND Septocaine on January 21, 2010 and have had vision complications ever since as well as a drooping eye lid that seems to become worse as my eye gets tired. I knew something was wrong right away as my eye felt as though someone was holding an ice cube directly on the eyeball itself. I told the dental assistant 3 times before I left that something was wrong, she giggled at me and said it would wear off. It's been almost 3 months and I'm STILL having problems. The more I try to use my eye (or strain it to put it correctly) the feeling of pressure increases and at times is unbearable. In the first few days following the injections my eye would also "wonder" like a lazy eye, which now only seems to happen very rarely especially if I'm tired. I had broke 2 teeth at work, my upper wisdom (tooth #1) and the molar in front of it (tooth #2) on the right side. So long story short I was sent to this dentist by workers comp. Tooth #1 was pulled and tooth #2 a temp crown placed. I have had many "tests" done regarding my vision complications and everything continues to come back negative. I was just at the Dr. today and she informed me that I am being released back to work because they can not verify my vision issues, and "This just does not happen from dental injections". I wish I knew how to get her to understand and believe me. IT DOES HAPPEN! As my attorney stated "in most cases the doctors do not want to deal with it so they push the patients to their breaking points so they give up and go away." While I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else I pray that should it the patient will speak up and continue in their quest for answers. The more it's reported the less difficult it will be for patients to get the proper treatment they need to try and correct the problem... I am not giving up by any means, I didn't do this to myself and I'm for sure not going to stop pushing the issue for anything short of answers. Needless to say, I will NOT be returning to that dentist for the perm crown...
Wjl345 - It happened to me as well, got the shots three days ago. By the 3rd injection, my eye went numb and I panicked. I nearly passed out in the chair and the procedure had to be stopped. I remained semi-coherant and snapped out of it but my blood pressure dropped dramatically and my dentist refused to continue even though I begged him to do the surgery (I wanted it done and over with!) After reading this thread, I am ever so pleased with my dentist for not continuing! My eye is better however, I feel like I have a mass behind my nose. If I squish my face up, only one side of my nose moves and I still have visable swelling on the injection side. As far as the dentist doing something to cause this???? I find it doubtful. Each individual reacts differently to various medications. I have never had a problem in the past and if the injections didn't go in right then my guess is that my face is built a little different than the patient that came before me. Bottom line....if it doesn't feel right - let your dentist know.
Valerieirene - MY SON WHEN HE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD WAS CRYING AND SCREAMING AFTER A DENTAL PROCEDURE, STATING HE COULD'NT SEE. It lasted about fifteen minutes he was so scared he wet his pants. The dentist kept saying oh he is fine he is putting on a show. My son is 24 yrs today and still talks about how terriftinf not being able to see for those fifteen minutes. Needless to say he is terrified to go to a dentist every since. Thank god he came out of it and has his eye sight back.
Bauerdb - When numbing the mandibular nerve which serves the lower jaw, the infraorbital nerve will sometimes get numb also because it is often in close proximity. This will cause the tissue below the affected eye to blanch and the area to get numb resulting in difficulty in closing the eye. Most of the time this goes away in about 30 minutes. If a nerve is directly hit, you will often get an electric shock feeling as one person above felt. Also, if the nerve is hit directly, the symtoms can very widely and last an extended period because the nerve is damaged. Bruising, called injection hematoma occurs when the needle hits a small blood vessel which then bleeds. This is common and happens about 1 in 200 injections, most noticably on upper injections and occurs about 5 times more often in women then men.
Kjf4991 - I had been longing for this appointment as I was in pain. I had a total of 3 injections, he waited not even 5min in between. By the 3rd he tried drilling again yet to feel my eye really different. I left my appointment and rang someone 2 pick me up as I couldn't drive home. My left eye couldn't blink or shut, I could see fine. Now its late at night and my eye still seems heavy and different. Wondering how long before it feels normal again
Az - A.Z. - Hi I have just been reading all your comments, I went to the dentist on Friday to have a temporary crown & he gave me quite a few injections of Local, after the procedure when I sat up - I had double vision in the eye on the affected side. The entire side of my face was numb, I was terrified & my dentist stated it had never happened before. The double vision lasted about 2 hours & wore off when the facial numbness subsided. I felt shocking for the rest of the day, was very scary. I ma noty looking forward to having the permanant crown inserted.
Bella3250 - I went to the oral surgeon today to have my upper right wisdom tooth extracted due to a large cavity. The tooth was not infected or impacted. The dentist gave me to or three injections in my cheek and then one or two in the roof of my mouth. Within a minute my right side of my face became numb and my eye felt weird kind of like it was droopy. He pulled the tooth which was literally 3 to 4 min in total and when I got up I noticed I had blurry and double vision. I asked the assistant and the dentist if this was normal and they sort of laughed and said yes it will wear off when the novocaine wears off. It's been 2.5 hours and I still am having blurry and double vision. It definitly got better but it still feels weird. I never want to experience this again. I hope and pray by tomorrow it's back to normal.
Daranda7 - I just left my dentist office about an hour ago...he was going to work on a couple of small cavities on my lower left side. After he inserted the injection in a couple of places, I suddenly felt like he had hit a nerve or something as my eyes started to water and I noticed I had blurry and double vision. He said it had never happened before like this---because I was having more of a problem with my right eye(opposite side) of where the injections were given. It took about 20 minutes for my vision to improve and needless to say we rescheduled my fillings for 2 weeks down the road. He said he will try a different medication next time. :x Still very nervous and scared!
Cee65 - WOW, I went to the dentist the other day to have myback tooth on the upper left pulled , he did the injections in the gum and the roof of my mouth , now heres the strange thing , the opposite side that thw work was done on (which would be my right) i lost all control of my right side , but it did not bother my right eye just my jaw and jaw , I called the Dentist he said there was noway it can go to the other side and I best get to hospital I might be having a stroke(freak me out) hospital does a cat scan everything was fine , I never went numb on the right side just lost all control , but as soonas the left side got feeling back the right went back to normal..Still freaking out about it.
Cee65 - Sorry , what a messed up post ..lol...Pretty much what I was trying to say is the opposite side of the injections was where all the problems were...
Jessica22185 - bella3250- I had almost the exact same experience today. My vision went completely scrambled after a 3rd injection, and resolved within 15 minutes. It's been 14 hours since the procedure, and my eyes still feel strained and slightly blurry, and I have jaw pain and tightness at the injection site. Did you have any improvement? Anyone else have improvement over time?
Antonicalpu - Jray22185- It has been 2.5 years and my "improvement" is still not 100%. I have been told by many specialist that I should be thankful for the progress that I've made because I will never be 100% again. I still have pressure in my eye and the entire right side of my face is STILL numb. My vision (which was 20/20 before the dental mis-hape) is now 20/50... From everything I have learned early intervention with steriods is key to recovery. GO TO YOUR PRIMARY DR ASAP!!!! Each day that passes the percentages of steriod helping gets smaller and smaller... PLEASE go to your Dr or the ER if you are still not feeling well!!! I can not stress this to you enough!!!!!
Jessica22185 - Antonicalpu,
Thank you so much for your response. I am so sorry for the nightmare you have encountered. That is just awful! I am seeing an optometrist today to make sure everything is ok. I still have pain along the span of the mere that was hit and in my jaw, and my eyes feel strained, but what I'm experiencing is nothing compared to what you have been through. I appreciate you responding, and I truly hope that things get better for you.
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