Fixture placement posterior to the mental foramen with transpositioning of the inferior alveolar nerve

The results of 10 fixture placement operations with transpositioning of the inferior alveolar nerve are presented. Nerve transpositioning increased the operating time, but with experience this time should be reduced. Neurosensory dysfunction of the inferior alveolar nerve was found in 7 of 10 operated sites 1 week after surgery. Six months postoperatively, altered sensation was still present in 2 patients. Nerve function was normal in all patients 1 year postoperatively. The stability of fixtures was satisfactory throughout the examination period and the procedure should prove useful in treatment of the resorbed mandible posterior to the mental foramina.