Question: A month ago I had oral surgery, I had a frenectomy, tooth extraction, bone graft, and an implant. My jaw bone was shaved and I was not prescribed the standard pre & post-op antibiotics, so, unfortunately, I developed a jaw bone infection. I had severe facial & neck swelling from the infection and was in the hospital for five days. I thought my decreased sense of smell & taste was due to all the medications but now I am off all of them and no smell or taste has returned. I can only taste or smell a little bit of bitter. I can’t even taste salt. Is this nerve damage from all the facial swelling? Do you think my lost sense of smell after oral surgery will ever return? It is absolutely devastating not being able to smell and taste. I had been a person with a hypersensitive sense of smell, I would get headaches if smells were too strong and avoided perfumes and the soap aisle in stores. I can’t imagine living the rest of my life like this.
Thank you.
Answer: I just posted a response to a question about the loss of smell on our web site- www.nyogmd.com – under ask the doctors- and I won’t repeat the whole answer…
Your issue is certainly more specific- We don’t always know what causes the loss of taste and lost sense of smell after oral surgery. Smell makes up much of the sense of taste-
The smell fibers are at the top of the nose and we can lose the sense of smell because of nasal congestion (think a bad cold)- or from nerve damage- which can occur after trauma, infection, surgery, or from an unknown reason.
You should be evaluated to make sure you don’t still have a sinus infection which can be causing the former loss- certainly, that can be improved-
For selected patients with nerve-related smell loss, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy may be considered. PRP uses concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood and is placed near the olfactory fibers in the nasal cavity as part of a regenerative treatment approach.
Patients should first be evaluated to determine whether PRP therapy is appropriate for their individual condition.
R Pincus MD
NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Loss of smell and taste after oral surgery can be caused by nasal congestion, nerve damage due to trauma, infection, or surgery, and sometimes from unknown reasons. Since smell significantly contributes to the sense of taste, any disruption in olfactory function can affect taste perception.
Yes, nerve damage resulting from facial swelling, infection, or trauma after oral surgery can impair the olfactory nerves responsible for smell, which in turn affects taste. This type of nerve injury may lead to a decreased or lost sense of smell and taste.
Recovery of smell and taste depends on the underlying cause. If the loss is due to nasal congestion or infection, treatment can improve symptoms. For nerve-related loss, therapies like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) may help regenerate olfactory function, but outcomes vary and require medical evaluation.
PRP therapy involves using concentrated platelets from the patient's own blood, which are placed near the olfactory fibers in the nasal cavity to promote regeneration. This treatment is considered for selected patients with nerve-related smell loss to potentially restore olfactory function.
Yes, patients should undergo a thorough medical evaluation to determine the cause of their smell and taste loss and to assess whether PRP therapy is appropriate for their specific condition. This ensures the treatment is tailored and potentially effective.
Sinus infections can cause nasal congestion and inflammation, which may block olfactory receptors and lead to loss of smell and taste. Treating any ongoing sinus infection can help restore these senses if infection is the cause.
