The inferior alveolar nerve plays a critical role in providing feeling to the chin as well as the lower lip. One of the big risks of dental implant placement is that, for some patients, the implants may damage this nerve, contributing to a long-term loss of feeling. For patients who have a particularly high risk, we may recommend nerve repositioning, which means literally moving the nerve to create room for dental implants.
This procedure is an aggressive approach that may cause some tingling or loss of feeling. This post-op discomfort is common following the placement of dental implants and usually proves to be short-term. Our surgeons will consider less aggressive options first, such as blade implant placement.