Nerve Repair

Nerve injury can occur as a result of: trauma, jaw infection, jaw corrective surgery and surgery related to jaw tumors. These injuries can be as minor as bruising of the nerve, which can result in temporary loss of feeling that may heal over time. Sometimes, either partial or complete loss of sensation may be permanent. In these instances, the nerve injury may require more attention, and can be managed either by non-surgical methods or by surgical repair of the nerve. We use most the up-to-date surgical techniques to repair the nerve either primarily or by using a nerve graft.

For tumors involving the lower jaw, the inferior alveolar nerve may have to be sacrificed. This nerve provides innervation to the lower lip. A nerve graft may be used at the time of tumor removal to help with the recovery of lip sensation. Talk to one of our surgeons at the Oral Cancer Institute to see if you are a candidate for this procedure.