Incidence and evolution of inferior alveolar nerve lesions following lower third molar extraction.
OBJECTIVE
To calculate the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) damage due to lower third molar extraction and to describe the evolution of IAN sensitivity and the prognosis of IAN damage based on preoperative data.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 4995 lower third molar extractions in 3513 outpatients.


RESULTS
Fifty-five extractions (1.1%) resulted in IAN impairment. Cox regression analysis showed age to be a risk factor for the persistence of IAN injury due to lower third molar extraction. The sensation recovery rate was higher in the first 3 months. Fifty percent of the patients showed full recovery after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Most cases of IAN impairment following lower third molar extraction recover within 6 months, though in some cases recovery takes more than 1 year. Older patients are at an increased risk of incomplete recovery of chin and lip sensibility after third molar extraction.
Queral-Godoy
Elena
E
School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Valmaseda-Castellón
Eduard
E
Berini-Aytés
Leonardo
L
Gay-Escoda
Cosme
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013030:Spain; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries