title: Electrophysiological assessment of human inferior alveolar nerve function.
abstract: This study describes a technique for making electrophysiological recordings from the inferior alveolar nerve of conscious human subjects. Recordings were obtained from 6 of 10 subjects, with consistent waveform latencies and amplitudes across subjects. The neurogenic origin of the responses was verified by blocking the nerve with 2% xylocaine, resulting in a loss of the waveform. The method is relatively simple, tolerated well by patients, and yields consistent electrophysiological information. Proposed refinements of the technique could result in a clinically useful method of objectively assessing the functional state of the inferior alveolar nerve following injury or surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, Dental School University of Texas, San Antonio Health Science Center 78284-7917.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Thrash
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D009407:Nerve Block; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors