Endosseous Implant Placement in Conjunction With Inferior Alveolar Nerve Transposition: An Evaluation of Neurosensory Disturbance

This retrospective study evaluated neurosensory dysfunction and the implant success rate associated with 64 implants placed in 15 patients following transposition of the inferior alveolar nerve. A total of 21 inferior alveola r nerve mobilization surgeries were performed. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 41.3 months, with a range of 10 to 67 months. The effects of surgical technique and implant surface geometry on neurosensory dysfunction were evaluated by using light touch, brush stroke direction, and two-point discrimination. The implant su ccess rate was 93.8% (60/64). The surgical technique that involved detaching the mental foramen resulted in a significantly greater incidence of neurosensory disturbance (77.8%, 7/9) than did the technique that left the bony foramen intact (33.3%, 4/12). The overall incidence of neurosensory disturbance was 52.4% (11/21).