Inferior Alveolar Neurosensory Deficiency Associated With Placement of Dental Implants

Background: This study reports and analyzes a large series of patients with neurosensory deficiency related to the placement of dental implants (DIs) and resulting in liability claims (LCs).Methods: From 1998 to 2009, there were 92 LCs related to persistent altered sensation post DI placements in Israel. Patients’ demographics, year and source of LCs, interval between the procedure that resulted in a neurosensory deficiency and the LC, qualifications of the surgeon, preoperative imaging modality, DI length, available alveolar bone for DI placement, placement site, timing of DI placement (immediately after tooth extraction or after socket healing), and treatment after the diagnosis of neurosensory deficiency were recorded and analyzed.Results: There were 21 cases during the first 5 years of the study (mean 4.2/year) and 63 cases (mean 12.6/year) over the following 5 years. Thirty LCs were issued during the second postoperative year and 15 LCs after >5 years. Most LCs (76%) involved procedures that were pla...