Introduction: Atrophy of the posterior mandible present a challenge due to the presence of inferior alveolar nerve. Nerve lateralization is one of the options that allow placement of the implants without augmentation. Modifications to decrease the incidence of neurosensory disturbances has been attempted.
Objectives: To evaluate the recovery of the sensation as well as implant success following computer guided nerve lateralization with two modifications.
Materials and methods: A randomized clinical trial conducted on a sample of twenty patients. Ten were treated via computer guided lateralization with repositioning the osteotomy window. The other ten via computer guided nerve lateralization with sticky bone augmentation. Postoperative patient evaluation was performed with specific attention paid towards objective and subjective testing of the neurosensory disturbance following surgery as well as implant clinical and radiographic success.
Results: All patients in both groups reported neurosensory disturbance as revealed by subjective and objective testing which were all temproray with 100% recovery after 6 months regardless of whether the window was placed or grafting around the implant with sticky bone. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of implants revealed success in terms of implant stability, probing depth, bleeding on probing.
Conclusion: Neurosensory recovery and Implants success is observed whether sticky bone is used around the implant or after repositioning the bone window. Blink reflex is a useful objective non-invasive modality. Professionals should be aware that the technique is very sensitive and requires gentle manipulation and good experience of the anatomy in order to avoid permenant damage to the nerve.