The prevalence of sensory disturbance after implant surgery - retrospective survey of implant practitioners

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate neurosensory disturbance associated with implant surgery performed by implant practitioner (n=47) composed of trained oral surgeon, periodontist, prosthodontist. The incidence, type and duration of sensory disorder were investigated. Anatomical factor of the patient and experience of operator were also evaluated. The result revealed high incidence of inferior alveolar nerve damage (45%) regardless of experience of implant practitioner. The sensory disturbance sustained within 6 months for 61% of cases, which revealed almost normal recovery of nerve function. Initial neurologic sign after nerve damage was not coincide with their consequence of recovery. Half of the practitioners tried surgical intervention to the implants such as removing the fixture, partial unscrewing or re-implant shorter fixture, of which trial regarded as effective measure for 53% of cases. The result indicates that the objective method of sensory nerve evaluation should be introduced to the implant practitioners and the importance of informed consent for possibility of nerve damage in mandibular implant fixation.