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Nerve damage associated with inferior alveolar nerve blocks
M A Pogrel1, J Bryan, J Regezi
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0440, USA.
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|August 1, 1995
Summary
Local anesthetic injections for dental work can cause nerve damage, specifically to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves. While most cases involve partial damage, recovery is often poor, with unknown causes and prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Dental Anesthesiology
- Oral Surgery
- Neurology
Background:
- Altered sensation following dental procedures is a recognized complication.
- Inferior alveolar and lingual nerve injuries can occur after local anesthetic administration.
- Restorative treatments represent a common indication for local anesthesia in dentistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases of altered sensation in the distribution of the inferior alveolar or lingual nerves.
- To analyze the outcomes and potential mechanisms of nerve damage after local anesthetic injections for restorative dental treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 12 patient cases.
- Analysis of altered sensation in the distribution of specific nerves.
- Evaluation of recovery patterns following nerve damage.
Main Results:
- 12 cases of altered sensation involving the inferior alveolar or lingual nerves were identified.
- The majority of patients experienced partial nerve damage.
- Poor recovery outcomes were observed in most affected patients.
Conclusions:
- Local anesthetic injections for restorative dentistry can lead to nerve damage.
- The precise mechanism of nerve injury remains unclear, with several theories proposed.
- The true incidence of this complication may be underestimated due to underreporting.