Permanent sensory nerve impairment following third molar surgery: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective study reports the proportion of permanent sensory impairment of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves and the factors influencing such prevalence after the removal of mandibular third molars under local anesthesia.


METHODS
There were 1,087 patients with 1,087 mandibular third molars removed under local anesthesia from 1998 to 2003. Standardized data collection included the patient's name, age, gender, radiographic position of extracted tooth, grade of surgeon, proximity of the inferior alveolar nerve, and the prevalence of lingual and/or inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia.


RESULTS
Inferior alveolar nerve injury was 4.1% 1 week after surgery and decreased to 0.7% after 2 years of follow-up, and alteration in tongue sensation occurred in 6.5% of patients 1 week after surgery and decreased to 1.0% after 2 years of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience of the operator was found to be a significant factor in determining both permanent lingual nerve (P=.022) and permanent inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia (P=.026).
Jerjes
W
W
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Healthcare Sciences, London, United Kingdom. waseem_wk1@yahoo.co.uk
Swinson
B
B
Moles
D R
DR
El-Maaytah
M
M
Banu
B
B
Upile
T
T
Kumar
M
M
Al Khawalde
M
M
Vourvachis
M
M
Hadi
H
H
Kumar
S
S
Hopper
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries