Repositioning of inferior alveolar nerve and implant placement in atrophic mandible -How far justified?

Bone resorption in posterior mandibular region creates a challenge in placement of dental implants and prosthetic rehabilitation due to presence of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN). Several alternatives treatment modalities are suggested: the use of short implants, cortical implants, guided bone regeneration, appositional bone grafting (both autogenous and allograft), distraction osteogenesis, inclined implants tangential to mandibular canal, and the lateralization of the inferior alveolar nerve. In this paper, we will present IAN repositioning cases and simultaneous implant placement and asses the success of implants, severity of nuerosensory disturbances and its impact on present day implant dentistry.

Keywords: Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), Nerve repositioning, Dental implants, Mandibular atrophy, Nuerosensory disturbances.