Neurosensory Function and Implant Survival Rate Following Implant Placement With or Without an Interposed Bone Graft Between the Implant and Nerve: Prospective Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This prospective clinical study evaluated the influence of an interposed bone graft with inferior alveolar nerve lateralization in terms of rates of sensory disturbance, mean sensation recovery time, and survival rates for placement of osseointegrated implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with an atrophic posterior mandible were enrolled in this study and randomized into two groups: bone graft group (a bone graft was placed between the implant and inferior alveolar nerve after lateralization) and control group (implants were placed in direct contact with the inferior alveolar nerve after lateralization). Neurosensory disturbances were evaluated via questionnaire 1 week after surgery and at the end of each month during the first year after surgery. RESULTS: Eighty-two implants were placed, with a survival rate of 97.56%. Two implants were removed due to mandibular fracture. All patients reported initial sensory disturbances arising from the surgical procedure. In the control group, the mean time for recovery from sensory disturbance was 3.95 +/- 2.33 months, compared with 4.11 +/- 4.68 months in the bone graft group (P = .587). CONCLUSION: The interposition of a bone graft between implants and the inferior alveolar nerve after lateralization did not prevent sensory disturbances and did not influence the sensation recovery time or implant survival rates.