The Prevalence of Altered Sensation Associated With Implant Surgery

Trauma to branches of the mandibular nerve may occur during oral surgical procedures and result in varying degrees of altered sensation. Since mandibular implant surgery involves mucoperiosteal flap elevation and bone removal during site preparation, complications involving altered sensation are to be expected. This study replicated a retrospective questionnaire study carried out in Toronto, Canada, and showed that the prevalence of altered sensation in implant patients in Adelaide, Australia (36%) was consistent with that found in Toronto (37%). These data reflect the incidence of altered sensation reported for similar oral surgical procedures and suggest that further characterization of this complication following mandibular implant surgery is necessary. Keywords: altered sensation, anesthesia, dental implants, inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve, mandible, mental nerve, oral surgery, paresthesia