Objective
The aim of this study was to identify the relative risk of damage to the inferior
dental (ID) and lingual nerves in patients undergoing lower third molar removal.
Study Design
A single surgeon reviewed 1,000 patients.
Results
Temporary ID neurosensory deficit was highest (11%) when root apices were intimate
to the ID nerve and lowest (0.9%) when close or distant from the nerve. Permanent
ID neurosensory deficit was 0.4% per tooth but only when intimate to the canal. Bone
removal, tooth division, and lingual split technique increase the risk of excessive
hemorrhage which appears to be linked to the highest risk of temporary ID neurosensory
deficit (20%). Permanent lingual nerve injury was rare (0.06%) and not related to
lingual retraction.
Conclusions
Preoperative warning for lower third molar removal can be individually tailored depending
on the intimacy of the ID canal to the root apices and the anticipated surgical technique.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 24, 2012
Accepted:
March 12,
2012
Received in revised form:
February 19,
2012
Received:
November 15,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
