Effects of inferior alveolar nerve rupture on bone remodeling of the mandible: A preliminary study

Although various animal studies have indicated that sensory nerves played an important role in bone metabolism and nerve injury could impair the process of bone remodeling, the actual effect of sensory nerve rupture on human bones remains unclear. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the effect of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) rupture on mandibular bone remodeling of patients underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO). Ten patients with unilateral IAN rupture during BSSRO were involved in this study. Neurosensory examinations were employed to assess the sensory function of bilateral IAN. The remodeling process of the post-operational mandible was evaluated by panoramic radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans. Neurosensory examinations indicated that nerve rupture resulted in significant hypoesthesia at the IAN-rupture side. Assessment of panoramic radiographs showed no evident alterations of bone structure at the IAN-rupture side of mandible. Evaluation of CT images also indicated no statistical difference in bone density and thickness between IAN-rupture side and contralateral side. Accordingly, our study indicated that IAN rupture may not significantly impair the short-term bone remodeling process of human mandible.