Trigeminal nerve paraesthesia from inferior alveolar nerve blocks: incidence and course

Aim The aims of the present study were to assess the incidence of injection-related injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN) and identify the clinical course of injection-related paraesthesia. Material and methods One thousand patients were included in this study. All patients received an alveolar nerve block. The patients were instructed orally and written to report any numb feelings in the IAN and LN area 24 h after administration of the local anaesthetic. Patients that responded were seen the next day for assessment. Results and conclusions In our group of 1000 mandibular blocks, there is no long-term injury caused by applying the local anaesthetics. When there is no manipulation of the mandibular nerve during the procedure, there are no long-term side effects of the mandibular block, and the paraesthesia is only temporary. The cause of the paraesthesia, however, remains unclear, and there is no prevention or treatment.