Assessment, Management and Prevention of Nerve Injuries

Dr Richard Morre examines the assessment, management, and prevention of nerve injuries in dentistry and oral surgery, with a focus on trigeminal nerve injuries related to local anaesthesia, third molar surgery, implants, and endodontic procedures. Dr Moore highlights that nerve injuries are often painful, functionally disabling, and psychologically impactful, rather than simply causing numbness, and therefore require thorough consent, documentation, and early recognition.

By the end of this lecture you will have learned to:

1. Recognise and diagnose intrusive luxation and avulsion injuries in permanent teeth

2. Apply evidence-based management protocols for intrusive luxation and avulsion

3. Implement appropriate emergency and follow-up care, including splinting, endodontic timing, antibiotic use, and long-term monitoring

4. Identify and manage common complications such as pulp necrosis, ankylosis, and external root resorption, and determine when specialist referral is required.