Evaluation of Neurosensory Function Following Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization for Implant Placement

Impact of tilted implants for implant-supported fixed partial dentures: A systematic review with meta-analysis

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The use of tilted implants has been considered a suitable option for completely edentulous patients. However, consensus on their clinical performance is lacking, specifically for partial rehabilitation.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the marginal bone loss and implant survival rate of tilted implants compared with those of axial implants for implant-supported fixed partial dentures (ISFPDs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic search of the MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, and ProQuest databases and reference lists for articles published until May 2022 was performed by 2 independent reviewers without language or publication date restrictions. A meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan version 5.4 program. Quality assessments were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Nine studies were included, totaling 258 participants and 604 implants (269 tilted implants and 335 axial implants). No significant differences were found between the tilted and axial implants for the implant survival rate (P=.81; risk ratio: 1.14). However, higher marginal bone loss values were observed for tilted implants (P=.001; mean difference: 0.12 mm). No significant heterogeneity was observed in either analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant relationship was found between tilted and axial implants for ISFPD rehabilitation. However, tilted implants presented greater risks of marginal bone loss than axial implants.

Prevalence and management of neuropathic injury caused by dental implant insertion in mandible: a systematic review

To synthesize scientific knowledge regarding the prevalence of neuropathies and nerve injuries caused by dental implant placement in mandible and the available management. Observational and interventional studies evaluating neuropathies occurrence in adults who underwent dental implant surgery were included. Any neuropathy diagnostic was accepted. The searches were conducted in six databases and grey literature. Methodological quality was screened using the Joanna Briggs Institute. The resulting synthesis was a narrative summary, and prevalence meta-analyses were performed in MetaXL 5.3. Among 98 full texts assessed, 38 studies were included. Neuropathies were diagnosed by questionnaires and/or clinical assessment. Eighteen studies presented high, sixteen moderate, and four low methodological quality. In implant surgeries without nerve lateralization, 12% and 5% of the patients may experience neuropathy during the first week and after three months, respectively. In implant surgeries with nerve lateralization, the prevalence was from 90% in the first week to 42% after three months. Proposed management included drugs, laser therapy and dental implant removal. In mandible, the prevalence of neuropathies in dental implant surgeries without lateralization is lower when compared with those with lateralization (eight times more in both follow-up times). The most frequent treatment was pharmacologic management.

Adjunctive Effect of Photobiomodulation Therapy with Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Paresthesia

Background: Disruption of peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve in the field of maxillofacial surgery is a known risk due to the close connection of these branches with the bony structures of the maxilla and mandible. As a result, injuries of the lingual nerve and inferior alveolar nerve take place within routine maxillofacial surgery procedures, including local anesthetic injection, wisdom tooth surgery, and dental implant placement, resulting in paresthesia and dysesthesia. During the last three decades, low-level lasers (LLL) have been frequently used in various medical fields. Lately, this application has increased in several sectors. Methods and materials: This experiment was designed to explore the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with Nd:YAG on the paresthesia and dysesthesia of the lower lip. This ethics committee of Tbzmed, Tabriz, Iran, proved the present experiment with ethical code: IR.TBZMED.REC.1401.839. Results: After completing 10 sessions of laser therapy for the case group consisting of 25 patients with lower lip anesthesia, the visual analog scale index results revealed that following six sessions of laser therapy, a significant difference appeared in contrast to the control group. Also, according to the two-point tests, significant difference among the experimental and the control group appeared after ninth session of the laser therapy. Conclusions: Altogether, these data suggested LLLT with Nd:YAG as an effective treatment option for decreasing the anesthesia of the lower lip.

Anatomical Analysis of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Relation to Mandibular Posterior Teeth Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Radiographic Analysis Study

Introduction

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is reliable in the assessment of structures related to teeth. The assessment of the inferior alveolar neurovascular (IAN) bundle location using CBCT is considered one of its prime uses in different mandibular surgeries.

Methodology

Retrospective CBCT data of patients presented to the institute were assessed to measure relations of IAN. Measurements were taken to assess the bone thickness adjacent to IAN, the superior-inferior dimension between the canal and the teeth, and the dimension between the canal and the inferior border of the mandible.

Results

Out of the 170 patients the root apices nearest to the IAN were that of the second molars (1.76 ± 1.86 mm). The IAN was closest to the inferior border of the mandible at the roots of the second molars (8 ± 3.4 mm). The buccal bone thickness had its greater dimension buccal to the IAN at the area of the second molar (5.16 ± 1.26 mm).

Conclusion

Two mini-plates in trauma do not increase the risk of injury. It is advisable in apicectomy not to extend 1.5 mm apically. The thickness of the nerve-lateralization window should not exceed 2 mm. In body osteotomy procedure, perform surgery anterior to premolars as much as possible.

Inferior alveolar nerve repositioning surgical techniques and outcomes - a systematic review

Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) lateralization (IANL) or transposition (IANT) are both techniques allowing for dental implant placement in posterior atrophic mandibles. The aim of this study was to systematically review the implant survival rate and the complications associated with IAN reposition techniques with simultaneous implant placement in atrophic posterior mandibles. This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis). The review was designed to answer the following PICO question: Is IAN repositioning (I) a safe and efficient technique (O) to treat patient looking for fixed dental rehabilitation of an atrophic posterior mandible (P). Thirty-three articles were reviewed, including a total of 899 patients, and approximately 950 IAN repositioning procedures. Dental implant survival rate ranged between 86.95% and 100% with a mean dental survival rate of 90.16%. Among the 269 patients who underwent IANT, there were 93% immediate neurosensory disturbance, and 15% persistent neurosensory disturbance. Among the 350 patients who underwent IANL, there were 93% immediate neurosensory disturbance, and 6% persistent neurosensory disturbance. IANT and IANL are reliable techniques allowing safe dental implant placement in atrophic posterior mandible with high patient satisfaction. IANL seems to cause less persistent neurosensory disturbances compared to IANT. The level of evidence is poor due to the high number of bias present in the included studies. IAN neurosensory disturbance assessment should be better homogenized in order to increase comparability.

Evaluating the influence of the mandibular canal trajectory on the duration of postoperative paraesthesia in patients undergoing inferior alveolar nerve lateralisation: a prospective cohort study

This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate the influence of the mandibular canal trajectory on the duration of postoperative paraesthesia in patients undergoing inferior alveolar nerve lateralisation (IANL). Twenty patients received a total of 50 dental implants, and their postoperative paraesthesia duration, implant success rate, and anatomical variables were assessed. All patients experienced temporary neurosensory disturbances postoperatively during the first week, but none reported permanent issues at the 12-month follow up. The median paraesthesia duration was 120 days, and no significant differences were detected between genders, anaesthesia types, or patient satisfaction. No significant association was found between the mandibular canal trajectory and postoperative paraesthesia duration. The implant success rate was 100%, with all implants integrating successfully. Our findings suggest that IANL is a safe and effective method for dental implant placement in atrophic mandibles.

Incidence of Neurosensory Disturbance and Success Rates of Solid-Screw Implants Placed in Conjunction with Inferior Alveolar Nerve Transposition

Background:

Implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation of a severely atrophic posterior mandibular alveolar ridge is a real challenge. Implant placement in such situations is very difficult and implies the risk of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) damage.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of neurosensory disturbance and the cumulative survival of dental implants placed after the IAN transposition (IANT) procedures followed by dental implants placement.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty International Team for Implantology implants were placed in eight patients following unilateral IANT. In two patients, nerve transposition was performed bilaterally, and hence, a total of 10 IAN transposition surgeries were performed. Neurosensory dysfunction was objectively evaluated by using light touch test (LT), pain test (PT), and 2-point discrimination test (2-DT). In addition, patients were asked to answer a short questionnaire to investigate the individual feeling of discomfort and advantages related to this surgical technique. The mean follow-up periods were 47.1 months (range 12–78 months).

Results:

Neurosensory disturbance (i.e., disturbance registered by the LT, PT, and 2-DT tests) was experienced in 2 of 10 cases. The cumulative implant survival was 100%. However, at the time of data analysis (12–79 months after surgery), all patients indicated that they would go through the surgery again.

Conclusion:

IANT can permit the placement of implants with adequate length and good initial stabilization as used in routine sites, with the same favorable prognosis. All patients felt that they had received benefits from their new prostheses in terms of improved comfort, chewing efficiency, and esthetics.