South Sound Oral Surgery

The inferior alveolar nerve, which gives feeling to the lower lip and chin, may need to be moved in order to make room for the placement of dental implants in the lower jaw. A nerve repositioning procedure is limited to the lower jaw and may be indicated when teeth are missing in the area of the two back molars and/or second premolars. This procedure is considered a very aggressive approach since there is almost always some postoperative numbness of the lower lip and jaw area, which typically dissipates very slowly, but may be permanent. Usually other, less aggressive options are considered first (placement of blade implants, shorter implants, bone grafting, etc).

Typically, we remove an outer section of the lower jaw bone in order to expose the nerve and vessel canal. We then isolate the nerve and vessel bundle in that area and slightly pull it out to the side. We then place the implants while tracking the neuro-vascular bundle. Then the bundle is released and placed back over the implants. The surgical access is site is filled with bone graft material and the area is closed.

These procedures may be performed separately or together depending upon the individual’s condition. As stated earlier, there are several areas of the body that are suitable for harvesting bone grafts. In the maxillofacial region bone grafts can be taken from inside the mouth, in the area of the chin or third molar region, or in the upper jaw behind the last tooth. In more extensive situations a greater quantity of bone can be taken from the hip or the outer aspect of the tibia at the knee.

In many cases, we can use allograft material for bone grafting for dental implants. This bone is prepared from cadavers and is used to get the patient’s own bone to grow into the repair site. It is usually quite effective and very safe. Synthetic materials can also be used to stimulate bone formation in some situations. We even use growth factors from your own blood to accelerate and promote healing.

Because our office has an Ambulatory Surgery Center, these surgeries are often able to be performed in the office surgical suite under IV sedation or general anesthesia.