Lingual and inferior alveolar nerve repair
Our UK-leading head and neck department can help restore quality of life in patients who have suffered a lingual or inferior alveolar nerve injury following surgery, trauma, or illness.
The lingual and inferior alveolar nerves are branches of the trigeminal nerve. Because they provide sensation (feeling) to parts of the face and tongue, injury to these nerves can be debilitating for patients.
The lingual nerve runs along the lower gum, passing very close to the wisdom tooth, and provides feeling to the tongue. Rarely, the lingual nerve can become damaged through oral surgery, trauma, or illness.
The inferior alveolar nerve – sometimes known as the ID nerve (inferior dental nerve) – runs inside the lower jaw and provides feeling to the lips and chin. The ID nerve can become injured through wisdom tooth surgery and sometimes implant placement.
If your lingual or ID nerve is damaged, you may experience pain, a reduced ability to taste, and/or numbness in the tongue, and chronic pain.
At 米兰体育, Mr Alastair Fry and Mr Raf Niziol – recognised as the UK’s top oral and maxillofacial surgeons – provide microsurgical repair and nerve reconstructions, helping to restore quality of life for patients after nerve injury.
About nerve damage
Nerves are like cables that transmit electrical signals between your body and your brain. They help you to perform everyday tasks like moving around or experiencing sensations like touch and taste.
When a nerve becomes damaged, it will try to heal itself by growing new nerve fibres. Occasionally, these nerve fibres become tangled and develop into a benign (non-cancerous) growth called a neuroma.
Neuromas can be very painful, with the pain often described as being burning, shooting, or like an electric shock. The area where the neuroma is located can become easily irritated and painful to the touch.
If you have a neuroma, you will often be recommended surgery to help reduce your symptoms.
Causes of nerve damage
Lingual nerve damage is a relatively rare result of oral surgery, including:?
- wisdom tooth removal?
- lower jaw surgery?
- tumour removal?
- salivary gland surgery?
- local anaesthetic injections?
Damage can also be caused by the growth of a tumour (which compresses the nerve), or through trauma to the area.?
ID nerve damage most typically occurs as a result of wisdom tooth removal and occasionally implant placement.
Nerve damage symptoms
If your lingual or ID nerve is damaged, you may experience the following symptoms:?
- complete loss of feeling (anaesthesia) in the tongue, chin, or lower lip?
- altered sensations (paraesthesia), such as pins and needles??
- pain (dysaesthesia), which may feel like burning or an electric shock?
- reduced ability to taste?
- difficulties with speaking and/or eating?
If an injury is temporary, some patients may find these symptoms gradually improve and eventually resolve themselves. However, if symptoms remain after six months, the injury is likely permanent and will require further treatment to resolve.??
If you have severe pain or your symptoms are impacting your quality of life, you should make an appointment with one of our specialists as soon as possible.
Nerve repair
Lingual and ID nerve repair can help improve sensation (including taste) and reduce pain in patients who have experienced a nerve injury.
The best outcomes are seen in patients who receive treatment within three months of their original injury, although improvements have still been reported in patients who were treated up to one year post-injury.
Pain is the most successfully treated symptom, with most patients experiencing a notable reduction in their pain levels.
The surgery is carried out under general anaesthesia and typically lasts for one to two hours depending on the complexity of the repair. If required, patients can benefit from aftercare services including speech and language therapy.
Why 米兰体育?
米兰体育 is the UK’s largest private provider of head and neck care, specialising in complex cancer removal and reconstructive surgery.
The head and neck department is led by Mr Alastair Fry, a leading expert in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Mr Fry is also highly experienced in nerve repair, helping to achieve optimum outcomes that restore quality of life for patients.
Patients will be seen at our modern outpatient centre located on the Mews, behind the main hospital building. We provide rapid, same-week access to appointments, so you can be assessed and treated faster.
Paying for your treatment
We welcome both self-paying and insured patients.
Self-pay patients
We offer several ways for patients to self-pay, including pay-as-you-go and self-pay packages.
Insured patients
At 米兰体育, we accept private health insurance from most major providers, including AXA, Aviva, Bupa, and Vitality.
Contact us today
Our team will be happy to answer any questions and book your appointment.
Self-pay: +44 (0)20 7244 4886
Insured: +44 (0)20 7460 5700
Book an appointment today
Call us now for appointment bookings, general queries, and personalised quotes.
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