Frequency and Evolution of Lingual Nerve Lesions Following Lower Third Molar Extraction
Purpose
To calculate the frequency of lingual nerve (LN) damage caused by lower third molar extraction and describe the evolution of LN sensitivity as well as the prognosis of LN damage based on preoperative data.
Patients and Methods
A retrospective study of 4,995 lower third molar extractions performed in 3,513 outpatients of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (University of Barcelona, Spain) between January 1998 and September 2001.
Results
Twenty-four extractions (0.5%) resulted in LN impairment. All involved ostectomy, with tooth sectioning in 20 cases. Cox regression analysis showed no risk factors for the persistence of LN injury during lower third molar extraction. The sensitivity recovery rate was greater in the first 3 months and then gradually decreased.
Conclusion
LN impairment usually recovers, the recovery rate being faster in the first months. LN damage is generally associated with ostectomy and tooth sectioning.
⁎Fellow of the Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
†Fellow of the Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
‡Associate Professor of Oral Surgery, Professor of the Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
§Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Professor of the Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
∥Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Director of the Master of Oral Surgery and Implantology, School of Dentistry of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Teknon Medical Center, Barcelona, Spain
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Gay-Escoda: Centro Médico Teknon, Vilana 12, 08022 – Barcelona, Spain
ABSTRACT