Question
Three years ago, I had four implants inserted in my lower jaw. My mouth was held apart with braces for three hours. Since then I have had extremely dry lips. The doctor said that the whole thing had nothing to do with the insertion of the implants. What helps? - R. P. in S.
Short answer
There is a nerve in the lower jaw bone on the right and left that runs slightly behind the canine teeth outwards into the lips. This nerve should not be damaged when inserting implants. It is very easy to protect this nerve, as the bone canal is clearly visible on the x-ray and the nerve is also clearly visible at the exit point into the lips. Every dentist who places implants in this region will pay close attention to this.
Nerve injury ruled out
If this nerve is injured, this results in a change in sensation on one side of the lip on the injured side. This change can manifest itself in a tingling sensation or in a complete lack of sensation. However, it is quite possible that the normal sensation will return within a few months. Your description does not match a nerve injury or overstretching caused by holding the lips during surgery. With increasing age, the salivary flow of the oral salivary glands decreases. The decrease in the amount of saliva occurs at different rates in different people and can be easily measured by a dentist. This results in a dry mouth and possibly also dry lips. The feeling of having a dry mouth or dry lips is perceived and assessed very differently by different people. One important cause of reduced saliva flow is many medications, which older people in particular often have to take. A discussion with the doctor in charge can sometimes result in medication being changed.
New teeth
Following the implantation, you will have received new teeth attached to these four implants. The new teeth have an artificial surface made of porcelain or plastic, which can become very large if gums also need to be replaced. This new surface must now be additionally moistened by saliva. If your new teeth rest on the oral mucosa in the form of a prosthesis, it will also cover many salivary glands. All of this can lead to a lack of saliva. Your new teeth could mean that you no longer close your lips unconsciously and therefore breathe more through your mouth. This would dry out your lips. In this case, the teeth must be corrected accordingly.
In addition to protective lipsticks, saliva can be artificially increased to alleviate dryness. Corresponding products, often in spray form, are available in pharmacies. Drinking a lot and frequently also helps.
Author: Dr. med. dent. Jürg Eppenberger
Published in: Neue Luzerner Zeitung on March 16, 2005