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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
In Vivo Evaluation of the Mechanical and Viscoelastic Properties of the Rat Tongue
Published on: July 6, 2017
Assessment of lingual nerve functions after smoking cessation
Anne Barbara Rittich1, Jens Ellrich2,3, Sareh Said Yekta-Michael4,5
1a Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Centre of Implantology , University Hospital Aachen , Aachen , Germany.
Objective:
Cigarette smoking is associated with a variety of oral diseases. A previous study showed a reduction of thermal sensitivity in the innervation area of the lingual nerve in smokers possibly caused by a degeneration of thermosensitive receptors as a consequence of smoking. The current study investigates somatosensory changes in ex-smokers.
Materials And Methods:
Sensory functions in innervation areas of lingual nerve were investigated in 40 ex-smokers by psychophysical means. Functions of lingual nerve in 40 ex-smokers were compared to those in 40 smokers and 40 non-smokers. Subjects were investigated using quantitative sensory testing (QST, cold and warm detection, thermal sensory limen, heat and cold pain, and mechanical detection).
Results:
Significant differences were found in both groups, ex-smokers and smokers compared to non-smokers. Cold (p < .001), warm (ex-smokers: p < .01; smokers: p < .001) detection thresholds and thermal sensory limen (p < .001) showed significantly lower sensitivity in ex-smokers and smokers in comparison to non-smokers.
Conclusions:
The lower temperature sensitivity of ex-smokers compared to that in non-smokers indicates a reduction of somatosensory function of the tongue, possibly caused by irreversible nerve degeneration associated with smoking. Influencing factors leading to sensory changes could be modulation of thermo-receptors, demyelination as well as a change of the epithelial structure.
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