Implant survival and complications in cases of inferior alveolar nerve lateralization and atrophied mandibles with 5-year follow-up

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival after 5 years of implants placed using inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) lateralization in cases of mandibular atrophy and to determine the incidence of complications. Twenty-seven patients received 74 implants by means of the IAN lateralization technique. Implant survival after 5 years of loading was 98.6%. Eighteen months after surgery, the recovery of sensitivity was complete in 26 cases. Implant placement with IAN lateralization was seen to be a satisfactory and predictable technique. IAN lateralization requires a high level of technical skill, and strict criteria should be applied when prescribing this treatment.