Evaluation of long-term sensory changes following mandibular augmentation procedures

Having undergone mandibular augmentation using several osteotomy techniques, 12 patients were evaluated for long-term sensory changes in the mental nerve distribution. The mean follow-up period was 32 months. The evaluation included both subjective and objective testing. Objectivity was achieved via the two-alternative forced-choice technique in testing light touch, thermal, and brush directional discrimination. All patients reported persistent subjective neurosensory alteration at the mental nerve distribution, four of which were judged as dysesthetic. Objective sensory alteration was observed in all three modalities tested, with brush directional discrimination most greatly affected, followed by light touch and then thermal discrimination. It was concluded that mandibular augmentation procedures requiring repositioning of the inferior aveolar neurovascular bundle lead to both subjective and objective neurosensory alteration, which were shown to be persistent at long-term follow up.