Lingual nerve damage during third molar surgery

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of lingual nerve damage to the experience of the operator and anesthetics modality during lower third molar surgery. A total of 300 patients had surgical removal of lower third molars. Surgeries were done under local and general anesthesia. The patients were asked about any numbness of tongue immediately after recovery or on the next morning in case of indoor patients. In the follow up appointments on first, 3rd and seventh day, they were asked again about any numbness of the tongue or any improvement noted. The frequency of 6% of altered lingual sensation was found in this study. The care was taken to include even trivial alterations in sensation of the lingual nerve occurring in the immediate post-operative period or even if there was quick recovery. The lingual nerve damage was recorded high [10%] with the most junior operator. No direct link of nerve damage was found with anesthesia but frequency of nerve damage was noted high during general anesthesia i.e., 7.14%. It was concluded that the frequency of nerve damage was more when the experience of the operator was less