[Lingual nerve injury during removal of the lower third molar: importance of early intervention].

INTRODUCTION

Lingual nerve injury is one of the most important complications after removal of a lower third molar.

CASE REPORT: We report two cases of this complication in our experience. In the first case, lingual nerve injury was repaired immediately and the patient recovered total tongue sensitivity. In the second case, lingual nerve exploration was not undertaken and the patient developed complete tongue anesthesia.

DISCUSSION: Opinions are quite different about the delay before exploration of an injured lingual nerve. However, absence of sensory improvement incited us to undertake surgical exploration of the nerve. Due to the degenerative lesion of the damaged nerve, timing of repair before three months seems preferable. In young patients, early repair, and good quality nerve suture without tissue loss improve sensitive recovery of the tongue.