Is it normal to still have a numb mouth a wk on from extraction of wisdom tooth?!

Is it normal to still have a numb mouth a wk on from extraction of wisdom tooth?

I had my lower wisom tooth taken out last friday, it was horrid. I was in the chair for an hour and a half and it had to be drilled many times because the dentist couldn't get it out. So a wk on, i havn't had stitches removed yet, half my mouth and tongue are still numb. I havn't been able to eat solids for a week, my mouth feels like something died inside it.
I asked the dentist and he said because of what had to be done, they put in a lot of anaesthetic and it may take a week for it to go. I can't talk or eat properly and it's still painfull.
Anyone else had a similar experience?

Yes, I have. It can take a long time for anesthetics to totally leave the area where they were used. They work to some degree by gravity (I don't really claim to understand this, but this is what I've heard at least three dentists say), and it simply takes time for the body to get them out as a result. I still have a tiny numb spot on my tongue from one experience like this over a year ago (although I'm reasonably certain the dentist hit a nerve in this case). Give it more time, be careful when you eat (of course), and drink lots of fluids to enable your body to remove the substances.

I would also suggest that for any major dental work in the future, you should ask to be put under general sedation (sort of like being put to sleep for the process, but it's a lighter sort of sedation); you've shown a sensitivity to anesthetics, so the less you have to use, the better.

Good luck.