Oral Health and Maxillofacial Research

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sensation abnormalities arise at the innervation point of the inferior alveolar nerve, which is often affected when a mandibular fracture occurs at the angle area. Damage to the nerves causes abnormalities in the sensitivity of the teeth, mucous membranes, and skin. In the area of innervation, patients experience pain, paraesthesia, and discomfort. This illness lowers a person's working capacity and negatively affects their psycho-emotional state.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the overall frequency of inferior alveolar nerve injuries and its severity among patients with mandibular angle fractures.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, total of 264 patients mandibular  angle fracture from department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Khyber college of dentistry were selected to asses inferior alveolar nerve injury. Orthopantomogram (OPG) was used to confirm angle fracture, while neurosensory testing was used to assess nerve injury.

Results: 264 patients with male predominance and having age ranges from 17 to years were studied. Results showed that 71% had inferior alveolar nerve injury with more common (42.4%) in age group of 21-30 years. Male patients had more (62.9%) inferior alveolar nerve injury then female patients (8.7%).

KEYWORDS

1. Inferior alveolar nerve injury
2. Mandibular angle fracture
3. Orthopantomogram
4. Neurosensory testing
5. Paraesthesia