A Study of Different Predisposing Factors on Lingual Nerve Damage during Lower Third Molar Surgery

Damage to lingual nerve is one of the common complications of the removal of mandibular third molars. A random data was collected in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. Effects of different factors (age and sex of the patient, experience of the operator and surgical method employed) were documented. Purpose of the study was to determine the frequency oflingual nerve damage and the effects ofdifferent variables on lingual nerve damage during the removal of mandibular third molars. It was shown in this study that age of the patient, sex of the patient and side of the lower jaw (right or left) operated has no significant effect on the frequency of lingual nerve damage, while experience of the surgeon and elevation of the lingual flap during extraction of the lower third molar significantly effects the frequency oflingual nerve damage. It is suggested that lingual flap elevation should be avoided in each case and if it is unavoidable to elevate the lingual flap then plenty of vigilance and care is necessary for the protection of lingual nerve.