Inferior Alveolar Nerve
What is the Inferior Alveolar Nerve?
The inferior alveolar nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve, which is part of the trigeminal nerve—one of the major nerves in your head. This nerve travels through a bony canal inside the lower jaw (mandible) and sends off smaller branches to the lower teeth, gums, and chin. It plays a key role in letting you feel sensations like pain, pressure, and temperature in these areas. Near the front of the jaw, the nerve splits into the mental nerve, which exits through a small hole in the bone to supply feeling to the lower lip and chin.
The inferior alveolar nerve is especially important for dentists because it needs to be numbed during many dental procedures, like fillings or tooth extractions in the lower jaw. If this nerve is injured during dental work or surgery, it can lead to numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in the lower lip, chin, or teeth.
The inferior alveolar nerve is especially important for dentists because it needs to be numbed during many dental procedures, like fillings or tooth extractions in the lower jaw. If this nerve is injured during dental work or surgery, it can lead to numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in the lower lip, chin, or teeth.
Dr. Spector describes the anatomy and function of the inferior alveolar nerve.
Most minor injuries heal over time, but more serious ones may need medical attention.
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2013). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Standring, S. (2020). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). Elsevier.
Standring, S. (2020). Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). Elsevier.
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How can the inferior alveolar nerve be damaged?
Dr. Spector describes potential injuries of the inferior alveolar nerve and how they can impact the lives of patients.
Injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve often happen during dental procedures, especially when removing wisdom teeth, placing dental implants, or giving numbing injections. Because this nerve runs through the lower jaw and is close to the roots of the teeth, it can be accidentally bruised, stretched, or damaged. When the nerve is injured, people may feel numbness, tingling, or even pain in their lower teeth, chin, or lower lip. These symptoms can last for a few days, weeks, or sometimes much longer. In mild cases, the nerve may heal on its own over time. However, more serious injuries—such as when the nerve is cut or compressed—might lead to long-term loss of feeling or nerve pain.
Dentists and surgeons try to avoid this by using X-rays or 3D scans to see exactly where the nerve is before doing procedures. If the nerve doesn’t heal, treatments like medications, nerve therapy, or even surgery may be needed to help restore sensation and improve quality of life.
Renton, T., & Yilmaz, Z. (2012). Managing iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury: a case series and review. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(5), 629–637.
Pogrel, M. A. (2007). Permanent nerve damage from inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Journal of the California Dental Association, 35(4), 271–273.
Pogrel, M. A. (2007). Permanent nerve damage from inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Journal of the California Dental Association, 35(4), 271–273.
If you are suffering from compression symptoms, be sure to consult a nerve specialist
How can the inferior alveolar nerve be treated?
Treatments for injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve depend on how serious the damage is. If the injury is mild—like a bruise or temporary irritation—doctors usually recommend monitoring the symptoms and giving the nerve time to heal on its own. During this healing period, which can take weeks or months, pain or discomfort may be managed with medications like ibuprofen or special drugs for nerve pain, such as gabapentin. Sometimes, doctors may also suggest gentle massage or physical therapy exercises to help the area recover. If the injury is more serious, such as when the nerve is cut or doesn’t heal over time, doctors may recommend microsurgery to repair it.
Dr. Spector describes how injuries of the inferior alveolar nerve can be treated.
This type of surgery is most successful when done within a few months after the injury. In some cases, other treatments like laser therapy, nerve stimulation, or desensitization therapy can help reduce symptoms and improve nerve function. The goal is always to help the patient regain feeling, reduce pain, and return to normal daily activities.
Pogrel, M. A., & Thamby, S. (2000). Permanent nerve involvement resulting from inferior alveolar nerve blocks. Journal of the American Dental Association, 131(7), 901–907.
Renton, T., Yilmaz, Z. (2012). Managing iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury: a case series and review of the literature. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(5), 629–637.
Renton, T., Yilmaz, Z. (2012). Managing iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injury: a case series and review of the literature. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 41(5), 629–637.
PAGE CONTRIBUTORS
PAGE CONTRIBUTORS
Matthew Spector, MD
Head and Neck Surgeon
University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center
Christina Yver, MD
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
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