title: A comparison of broad and narrow retractors for lingual nerve protection during lower third molar surgery.
abstract: The incidence of altered lingual nerve sensation following lower third molar removal was examined in 150 cases where a broad retractor was used to retract the lingual flap and compared with 150 cases where a more conventional Howarth's periosteal elevator was employed. This study supports the view that a broad retractor employed to protect the lingual nerve during lower third molar surgery produces significantly less altered lingual nerve sensation at 1 month than a Howarth's periosteal elevator used for the same purpose.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Langton
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rood
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000517:prevention & control; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000295:instrumentation*