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Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injury in Mice
Published on: March 25, 2022
When to refer a patient with a nerve injury to a specialist
Shahrokh C Bagheri1, Roger A Meyer2
1Dr. Bagheri is the chief, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northside Hospital, Georgia Oral and Facial Reconstructive Surgery, Atlanta; a clinical associate professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Georgia Regents University, Augusta; and an adjunct clinical assistant professor of surgery, Emory University, Atlanta. Address correspondence to Dr. Bagheri at Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northside Hospital, Georgia Oral and Facial Reconstructive Surgery, 11975 Morris Road, Alpharetta, Ga., 30005, e-mail sbagher@hotmail.com.
Background:
Nerve injury is a known and accepted risk of many oral surgical and dental procedures. Such injuries may occur despite the practitioner's providing the best of care. Taking proactive measures during evaluation and surgery may reduce the incidence of nerve injury.
Results:
Injuries to the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve can cause unfavorable effects on orofacial sensation and related functions such as eating, drinking, washing, speaking, shaving and kissing.
Conclusions:
When nerve injuries secondary to dental or oral surgery procedures fail to resolve promptly and the resulting dysesthesia is unacceptable to the patient, timely treatment gives the patient the best chance of a favorable outcome. Treatment may involve surgical exploration and repair of the injured nerve.
Practical Implications:
Recognition of and prompt referral for nerve injuries give the patient the best chance of achieving improvement or recovery of sensory function in the distribution of the injured nerve.
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Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...

