title: Injuries to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves.
abstract: Both the inferior alveolar and the lingual nerve are at risk for damage following various surgical procedures. Sensory nerve function following potential damage should be tested and evaluated for treatment, with microneurosurgery considered under certain conditions. Repair between three and six months following injury has the best results. A study of 43 patients who underwent microneurosurgery for various types of injuries, and have been followed for at least one year, found four (9.3 percent) with essentially complete return of sensation; five (11.6 percent) with good return; 19 (44.2 percent) with some return; 13 (30.2 percent) with no return; and two (4.6 percent) with a decrease in sensation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UCSF School of Dentistry 94143.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pogrel
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Kaban
mesh_terms: D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D006801:Humans; D008036:Lingual Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries