title: Inferior alveolar nerve function recovers after decompression of large mandibular cystic lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of large mandibular cystic lesions (diameter > 35 mm) is controversial. Few studies determine the inferior alveolar nerve function after decompression which is one of the major options for treating such lesions. We aim to investigate the recovery of inferior alveolar nerve function after decompression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients with large mandibular cystic lesions, diagnosed as keratocystic odontogenic tumor, ameloblastoma, or dentigerous cyst, were included. Inferior alveolar nerve function was observed by monitoring the pulp vitality of involved teeth (n = 64) with electric pulp test before decompression and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after decompression, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pulp vitality of the involved teeth was significantly decreased before decompression. Recovery of pulp vitality could be observed after decompression, indicating the recovery of inferior alveolar nerve function. A majority (96.9%) of the vital pulp was preserved in the involved teeth after decompression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recovery of inferior alveolar nerve function was remarkable in patients with large mandibular cystic lesions after decompression, indicated by the recovery of pulp vitality of involved teeth. When decompression is preferred, conservative therapy rather than root canal therapy is recommended for the teeth with root tip exposed in the cystic lesions and without pulposis.
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Y-j
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Longgang District People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: W-j
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: P-b
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: G-q
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000473:pathology; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: decompression; electric pulp testing; inferior alveolar nerve; large mandibular cystic lesions