Neurosensory disturbances after immediate loading of implants in the anterior mandible: an initial questionnaire approach followed by a psychophysical assessment

The aim of the study was to assess past and present neurosensory disturbances using a questionnaire and a psychophysical approach in patients treated with immediate loaded implants in the edentulous anterior mandible. A group of 65 patients ( age range 30 - 84 years, mean 58 years, 30 women) was enrolled. All were treated by means of three immediately loaded implants (Branemark Novum System(R)). A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The response rate was 89%. Of the 58 responders, 33% (n=19) reported neurosensory disturbances after implant surgery. Nine of these patients ( mean age 56 years, seven women) participated in an objective evaluation and were subjected to a psychological and several psychophysical tests. Psychological testing revealed no statistical differences between the patients, who had previously experienced subjective complaints, and the control group. Two-point discrimination and thermal sensation tests revealed no sensory lesions. The light touch sensation test at the lower lip indicated a more frequent reduction of tactility for the test group (p=0.03). Neurosensory disturbances can occur in the anterior region of the mandible after implant surgery.