How Long Do Effects of Novocain Last

Hi C.,
I am a Dental Hygienist, it sounds like you have a little trauma where he injected the second shot of novocain. It will probably last about a week or so. So don't worry, and the way you felt after the novocain is pretty normal too. He really got you numb. But if the knot you feel does not go away by Friday I suggest you give him a call just to let him look at it. Have a great day I hope this made you feel a little better.
Becci

Novocaine usually lasts 1-3 hours at the most. If he used a longer lasting anesthetic like bupivicaine this would last 6-8 hours. The only reason I could think for your lip turning white is if there was epinephrine (vasoconstrictor...narrows the blood vessels) in with the anesthetic. I am guessing that the dentist gave you the shot in the front part of your mouth into the gum line just under your nose. One of the smaller nerves may have gotten tweaked when you got the shot (a small risk when doing this type of shot). It should heal up over time. May take anywhere from several weeks to a couple months. I would contact your dentist just to be on the safe side though. Good luck!

I feel for you! I know about Novocain - I have had two root canals and last week I had gum grafting surgery, which I am still feeling the effects of! Anyway, the knot might be a sore or a tender spot leftover from the needle going in. Those needles they use for Novocain are the most obscenely long and humungous needles I have ever seen. It might also be residual tenderness in your mouth because of where the work was done... for example, I have a bruise on the left side of my face because the grafting was done on the left, so it affected that entire part of my face. The mouth is extremely tender and sensitive, and it almost goes into trauma after serious dental work. It takes time for it to return to normal, but if you feel like something is not right, it wouldn't hurt to call your dentist's office and ask just to be sure. After my root canals it was a good 7-10 days before my mouth felt normal. I know you didn't have that done but you still had a serious procedure. Good luck and feel better soon - I know that mouth pain is the WORST!!

Ack! Call your dentist now! When my husband had some wisdom teeth removed, they severed a nerve and he lost feeling in his bottom lip. That was in 2004! Some feeling comes back, but in some cases, there can be lasting effects.

If the dentist did 2 shots of novacain, I'd say what you are feeling is the soreness of the needles going into the gum. I have had novacain twice like that and it was sore for days, but I would call the dentist and run it by them, just to make sure.

Hi C. - Why don't you call your dentist and see what he says?

hi C.,
I would definitely contact your dentist if it has not gone away. Im sure things are fine but that could be some sort of minor reaction. Good to find out for future visits.

take care
M.

Hi C.,
I have had this before, sometimes if & when you are numb from the medicine it feels funny; it almost makes you want to play it because it feels differnt. It could be just from the dentisit doing his work and it should go away. If it does not go away by Tuesday I would call and ask the dentist it maybe an infection.
When I had it I could not stand it. Just be carefull the mouth is the easiest place to get an infection. You could also try some Ibuprofin for the swelling. I hope your back to normal soon.

C.,
I am very curious to know what happens with you. I've never heard of it lasting this long and your procedure sounded rather simple and routine. I mean, I've know dentists to give MORE novocain but not STRONGER novocain and I am wondering what on her they used on you. You poor thing. Call that dentist IMMEDIATELY. This can't be normal; not to worry you but definitly call!

Well i would definately call the dentist & let them know whats going on. You may have had some sort of a reaction.

Hi Chrystal,

I'm no expert here, but do you think the knot might be related to the actual dental work not the novocaine? It is possible you had a little swelling or bleeding during the procedure which is causing this knot. If so it will probably resolve slowly over the next several weeks as it is reabsorbed. If you are concerned you should call your dentist.

Best Wishes.
J. L.

I think the knot is where the dentist put the needle--so it is swollen from the puncture, not from the drug itself. I have had this happen often. Should go away in time. I agree that you should call the dentist in a couple of days if it doesn't get better--or if it gets worse. Good luck!