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.