Neurosensory function following mandibular nerve lateralization for placement of implants

This prospective cohort study investigates the types and duration of neurosensory disturbances (NDs) related to mandibular nerve (MN) lateralization for placement of implants. From March 2001 to March 2007, 87 patients underwent implant placement surgery with MN lateralization. All patients had panoramic radiograph and CT scans taken preoperatively. Patients completed questionnaires to report NDs 1 week after surgery, and at the end of each month within the year after surgery. All 87 patients (110 posterior segments, 23 bilateral and 64 unilateral) participated in the study. All patients reported NDs in the first week: anaesthesia in 81 sites, hypoesthesia in nine sites, burning in nine sites, pain in eight sites, pinching in two sites, and tickling in one site. The sites with NDs decreased to 29 sites (26%) at the end of first month, and to three sites (3%) at the end of the sixth month with no changes to the end of the year. 82 patients were satisfied with the result of nerve lateralization after 1 year. The mean time for full recovery of MN was 37+/-15 days. These findings indicate that concerning NDs, MN lateralization is a useful method for placing implants in the atrophic posterior mandible.