Moving the mandibular nerve
for dental implants
At the back of the lower jaw there is a nerve called the mandibular nerve (mandibular nerve) that is responsible for the sensation in the lower lip (this nerve has nothing to do with the movement of the lip - only the sensation).
In cases where this nerve is damaged during a dental implant the patient will suffer from pain or alternatively numbness in the lower lip temporarily or permanently .
Using appropriate X-rays for planning dental implant surgery, the surgeon makes sure to identify the canal through which the nerve passes (similar to an electrical wire passing through a tube in a wall), measure the distance around it, and according to bone height he knows to choose the appropriate implant length to preserve the sensation.
When there is not enough bone for the implants, one treatment option is to try to build up the missing bone.
Another option is to move the nerve from the implant insertion axis, an operation that allows the implants to be inserted simultaneously. In this technique the surgeon can see the nerve during the transplant and make sure that the implants do not damage it.
The treatment is performed under intravenous anesthesia or general anesthesia. Because the surgeon moves the mandibular nerve during treatment, the function of the nerve and its ability to transmit sensation is slightly impaired.
In view of this, a temporary decrease in the sensation of the lower lip and gums on the patient side is expected during the recovery period. Although in most patients the sensation returns to normal after a few weeks or months, in some cases the sensory disorder may remain permanent.
Advantages of surgery to move the mandibular nerve for the insertion of implants:
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Single surgery - no surgery is needed to complete the missing bone and additional surgery to insert the implants but a single surgery to move the nerve and insert the implants.
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Minor pain - because the nerve that transmits the pain is partially functioning after the operation, the area is dormant and does not hurt.
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Shortening the treatment time - from the moment the implants are made until the crowns are prepared, only about 2-4 months are waiting.
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High chances of success - chances of receiving implants (without bone grafting) are over 90%.