Effects of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Neurosensory Deficits on Quality of Life

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of temporary or persistent neurosensory disturbance of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) on the quality of life using Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire.

The patients with the neurosensory deficit of the IAN that was confirmed by subjective and objective neurosensory tests formed the study group. The patients who had dental or oral and maxillofacial surgery procedures in the same unit and did not present neurosensory deficit were matched with the study group according to their gender and age and were presented as the control group. Both groups filled OHIP-14 questionnaire.

This study included 200 patients (122 female and 78 male), aged between 18 and 75 years. Kolmogrov-Smirnov, Levene, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. In study group, the average OHIP-14 scores were higher in women than in men in physical pain and handicap subgroups. There were significant differences between study and control groups in functional limitation, psychological discomfort, psychological disability, and handicap subgroups. The OHIP-14 scores were higher in study group compared with the control group.

It was concluded that the patients with the neurosensory deficit of the IAN have a poorer quality of life than those without neurosensory deficits.