NEUROPATHY AFTER DENTAL IMPLANT PLACEMENT: ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT, AND PREVENTION:A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background:Dental implant therapy is a predictable and widely accepted treatment modality for tooth replacement; however, neurosensory disturbances remain a serious and clinically relevant complication. Neuropathy following implant placement may involve the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), mental nerve, or lingual nerve, leading to temporary or permanent sensory dysfunction. Objective:This systematic review aims to analyze the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, management strategies, and preventive measures of neuropathy associated with dental implant placement. Methods:A review of the literature was conducted using PRISMA 2020 principles for transparency. Databases included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies reporting implant-related nerve injury were included. Results:A total of 107 records were identified, 61 were excluded, and 46 studies were included in qualitative synthesis. Neuropathy most commonly resulted from mechanical trauma, compression, thermal injury, and postoperative edema. The IAN was the most frequently affected nerve. Early diagnosis using clinical neurosensory testing and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) significantly improved outcomes. Most cases were transient neuropraxia, while severe injuries were less frequent. Conclusion:Prevention through careful planning and anatomical awareness remains the most effective strategy. Early diagnosis and timely intervention significantly improve neurosensory recovery outcomes.