Infection-related mental and inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia: literature review and presentation of two cases

J Endod. 1997 Jul;23(7):457-60. doi: 10.1016/S0099-2399(97)80303-2.

Abstract

A review of the literature on infection-related mental and inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia is given. This is followed by 2 case reports. The first case is of a mandibular left second molar in which a chloropercha overfill puff occurred in the vicinity of the inferior alveolar canal. The tooth remained asymptomatic until 2 and 1/2 yr later, when the periapical lesion enlarged and swelling, pain, and paresthesia developed. The paresthesia resolved 2 weeks following periapical surgery. The second case is of a mandibular right first premolar in which paresthesia began 1 day after the initial endodontic treatment. The intracanal medication was formocresol on a cotton pellet that was squeezed dry. The paresthesia was treated by irrigation, antibiotics, and dexamethasone. The paresthesia lasted 7 weeks, and when it resolved the root canal was filled with gutta-percha/eucapercha. Almost 9 months later, the tooth remained asymptomatic.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bicuspid
  • Chin / innervation
  • Chronic Disease
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / etiology
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / therapy
  • Focal Infection, Dental / complications*
  • Focal Infection, Dental / diagnosis
  • Focal Infection, Dental / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandible
  • Mandibular Nerve*
  • Middle Aged
  • Molar
  • Paresthesia / diagnosis
  • Paresthesia / etiology*
  • Paresthesia / therapy
  • Root Canal Therapy