The Effect of Trigeminal Neurosensory Deficit on Quality of Life

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effect of persistent neurosensory disturbance of the lingual nerve (LN) or inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) on quality of life (QoL). Methods: Patients with persistent neurosensory deficit of LN or IAN after lower third molar surgery (for 12 months or more) were the study group. Health-related QoL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), oral health-related QoL using the 14-item Short Form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The control group was an age and gender matched sample of other oral surgery patients. Differences in SF-36 scores and OHIP-14 scores between the groups were compared.

Results: Thirty-six subjects (18 cases and 18 controls) were recruited. Patients with neurosensory deficits had poorer Mental-Health Component Scores (MCS) (p=0.01), Role-physical (p=0.01), General Health (p=0.02), Social Functioning (p<0.01) and Role-emotion (p<0.01). The OHIP-14 scores were also significantly worse in this patients with neurosensory deficits compared with the control group (p<0.01). There were no statistical differences in various parameters of the QoL within the neurosensory deficit group with respect to gender, nerves involved, or presence of hyperaesthesia / pain at the affected areas.

Conclusions: Patients with persistent LN or IAN deficit after lower third molar surgery have poorer health-related QoL and poorer oral health-related QoL than those without such deficits.