Neurosensory disturbances after immediate loading of implants in the anterior mandible: an initial questionnaire approach followed by a psychophysical assessment

The aim of the study was to assess past and present neurosensory disturbances using a questionnaire and a psychophysical approach in patients treated with immediate loaded implants in the edentulous anterior mandible. A group of 65 patients (age range 30–84 years, mean 58 years, 30 women) was enrolled. All were treated by means of three immediately loaded implants (Branemark Novum System(®)). A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The response rate was 89%. Of the 58 responders, 33% (n=19) reported neurosensory disturbances after implant surgery. Nine of these patients (mean age 56 years, seven women) participated in an objective evaluation and were subjected to a psychological and several psychophysical tests. At the moment of the evaluation none of the nine patients still had clinical complaints. Psychological testing revealed no statistical differences between the patients, who had previously experienced subjective complaints, and the control group. Two-point discrimination and thermal sensation tests revealed no sensory lesions. The light touch sensation test at the lower lip indicated a more frequent reduction of tactility for the test group (p≤0.03). Neurosensory disturbances can occur in the anterior region of the mandible after implant surgery.