Persistent pain and neurosensory disturbance after dental implant surgery: prevention and treatment

• Published in: The Dental clinics of North America Vol. 59; no. 1; p. 143
• Main Authors: Al-Sabbagh, Mohanad, Okeson, Jeffrey P, Bertoli, Elizangela, Medynski, Denielle C, Khalaf, Mohd W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Chronic Pain - prevention & control; Dental Implantation, Endosseous - adverse effects; Dental Implants - adverse effects; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Microsurgery - methods; Neuralgia - prevention & control; Pain, Postoperative - prevention & control; Patient Care Planning; Somatosensory Disorders - prevention & control; Trigeminal Nerve Injuries - prevention & control; Prevention; Nerve injury; Management; Implant; Neurosensory; Neuropathic pain
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cden.2014.08.005

Nerve trauma caused by dental implant placement is associated with altered sensation and chronic pain. Complete or partial loss of sensation is often reported by patients who have experienced nerve trauma during implant surgery. Some patients report persistent pain and neurosurgery disturbance long after the normal healing time has passed. In addition, neuropathic pain is reported after implant surgery. Practitioners who place dental implants must be familiar with the differential diagnosis, prevention, and management of neuropathic pain. This article provides insights into the prevention and management of neurosensory deficits and chronic persistent neuropathic pain and considerations for patient referral.