LINGUAL NERVE PARESTHESIA FOLLOWING 3RD MOLAR SURGERY - A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL-STUDY

Lingual nerve anesthesia, paresthesia, and dysesthesia are possible si de effects of third molar extraction. These unwanted complications are frequently disturbing to both the patient and practitioner. The incid ence of lingual nerve damage following third molar surgery is more fre quent than once thought. Six hundred questionnaires were sent to rando mly selected Fellows of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofa cial Surgeons in 50 states to determine the parameters surrounding thi s phenomenon. Of the 452 respondents, 76.05% reported having had patie nts with lingual anesthesia, dysesthesia, or paresthesia. Of all the r eported cases, 18.64% of the cases failed to resolve. Of the reported cases, only three underwent surgical intervention. Because many cases of lingual nerve dysfunction do not resolve, it is important to inform patients that microsurgical nerve repair techniques are available as a modality of treatment following diagnosis. It has also been recommen ded that if the paresthesia does not resolve within 10 to 12 weeks, th en management options including microsurgical nerve reconstruction wit hin a short period of time should be discussed as a plan with the pati ent.