Trigeminal nerve injuries

Trigeminal (5th cranial nerve) injuries are common; it is estimated that there are 300,000 peripheral nerve injuries per year in Europe (1/1000 population). The lingual nerve, which supplies feeling to the tongue and floor of mouth, and the inferior alveolar nerve that supplies feeling to the lower lip and chin are frequently injured during the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. Injury to these nerves usually results in numbness of the tongue and lower lip.

Sheffield has an international reputation as a centre for the clinical management of patients with lingual and inferior alveolar nerve injuries, undertaking microsurgical repair of these damaged nerves. 

Peripheral nerve injuries result in loss of sensory and/or motor function, and some patients develop chronic neuropathic pain, and Sheffield is also a leading research unit into neural regeneration following peripheral nerve injury and/or repair as well as the aetiology and management of neuropathic pain.

Procedures undertaken

Microsurgical repair of damaged lingual nerves and inferior alveolar nerves

Research

http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/dentalschool/research/ibio/neuroscience/injuries

For more information about this service please contact:

Mr Simon Atkins
Senior Lectruer/ Honorary Consultant Oral Surgeon

Facial Paralysis Surgery and Functional Restoration

Please see our dedicated page here

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