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Lower Jaw
In the lower jaw it is less common to use grafts. This
is because almost invariably there is enough bone in the front
of the mouth. The obstacle in the back of the lower jaw is the
nerve that runs along its length. In some cases the nerve can
be repositioned so that implants can safely be placed into this
area enabling the entire height of the lower jaw to be used.
This technique is devised in order to make sure that no damage
is caused to the nerve. The aim is to move the nerve safely
out of the way to prevent injury to it while placing the implants.
However, there is always a small risk of damage that may affect
the sensation in the lip. It is important to keep this in perspective.
This nerve can sometimes be damaged when wisdom teeth are removed
or other types of surgery in the mouth. If damaged there is
a numb area that you soon get used to. It is essential to remember
that this nerve is a sensory nerve; it does not affect the movement
of the lip if damaged and will not cause any drooping of the
lip. Having said all that, the aim is to move the nerve to stop
it from being damaged. Sometimes bone grafts may be used in
conjunction with this procedure particularly when severe bone
loss has taken place. |
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