Neurophysiological Changes after Implant Placement

Inferior alveolar nerve injury (IANI) is one of the distressing complications that may occur during implant placement resulting in sensory disturbances accompanied by decreased patient life quality. Hence dental practioners should be aware of nerve injuries and recognize them as early as possible to start an adequate therapy to avoid liability claims. In terms of increasing forensic implication a suitable tool to objectify clinical findings is the Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST). It is a non-invasive, valuable method According to the quantitative sensory testing protocol implemented by the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS), patients who had obtained an implantation in the lower jaw with Camlog® implants combined with augmentation procedures were examined. The aim of the study was to investigate whether implant surgery could lead to sensory deficits in trigeminal nerve function depending on the proximity of implant placement to the inferior alveolar nerve even if patients do not notice any sensory disturbances. The radiological examination showed no protrusion or crossing of the implant bed or implant in the alveolar nerve canal although proximity to the inferior alveolar canal was evident radiographical. Neurophysiological examinations were carried out in the early postoperative period rating changed sensory perception and taste disturbances. Keywords: Inferior alveolar nerve injury, sensory disturbances, implant placement, quantitative sensory testing