NERVE INJURY REPAIR

The trigeminal nerve gives sensation to our face. This nerve has multiple branches within the jaw bone which reside in close proximity to our teeth: the lingual nerve, the inferior alveolar nerve and the mental nerve. These nerves can get damaged during third molar removal, but may also suffer injury during surgery for facial deformity or as a result of facial fractures. Although the majority of patients regain normal sensation within a few weeks or months, a proportion are left with abnormal sensation or pain. Surgical Intervention is required in some circumstances, as nerve repair can improve recovery.