title: Subjective and qualitative assessment of neural disturbance after inferior alveolar nerve transposition for dental implant placement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this retrospective study was to accumulate data regarding the quality of postoperative neurosensory function after inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) transposition for dental implant placement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included seven consecutive patients who underwent IAN transposition surgery for the insertion of a dental implant into the atrophic posterior mandible. Of these, six patients (seven sides) were available for long-term assessment of postoperative IAN function. Neurosensory disturbance of the IAN was assessed objectively using the modified SW perception test reported by Semmes and Weinstein. In addition, the quality of nerve paralysis was assessed according to the criteria reported by Highet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up time was 49 months (range 12-105 months). No implant loss was observed during the follow-up. All patients experienced numbness immediately and the days after surgery. Complete recovery of neural function was observed on two sides; weak hypoesthesia was observed on two sides, moderate hypoesthesia on two sides, and severe hypoesthesia on one side. However, only one patient expressed concern about IAN function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IAN transposition is a useful method for placing implants in the atrophic posterior mandible. However, the procedure is complicated, with the possibility of some degree of neurosensory disturbance, although in most of our cases, it resolved within a clinically acceptable period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-3-1, Asahi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0804, Japan. nishimaki@shinshu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Fumihiro
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nishimaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-3-1, Asahi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0804, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kurita
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-3-1, Asahi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0804, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tozawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-3-1, Asahi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0804, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Teramoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-3-1, Asahi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0804, Japan.
authors.forename: Rishiho
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nishizawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-3-1, Asahi, Matsumoto-shi, Nagano, 390-0804, Japan.
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Yamada
keywords: Dental implants; Inferior alveolar nerve; Nerve transposition; Neurosensory disturbance