CASE REPORT
Clinical management of inferior alveolar nerve neuralgia
in an edentulous patient – a case report
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Katedra i Zakład Protetyki Stomatologicznej, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Polska
Submission date: 2026-08-23
Acceptance date: 2026-09-17
Publication date: 2026-09-17
Corresponding author
Anna Drężek
Katedra i Zakład Protetyki Stomatologicznej, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Warszawa, Polska
Prosthodontics 2026;76(3):308-318
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ABSTRACT
Neuropathy of the inferior alveolar nerve
(IAN) is usually associated with the field of
oral surgery, and complications during dental
procedures involving reversible nerve damage
are relatively common (8.5-37%). Compression
neuropathy may also occur, which constitutes
a significant problem in prosthetic treatment,
especially in the case of edentulous patients
utilizing removable dentures in the mandible.
Atrophy of the alveolar part of the mandible
may occur either due to underloading (non-use
of prosthetic appliances) or overloading (uneven
force transmission through the denture), leading
to pathological bone remodeling and accelerated
resorption.
This paper describes a case of a 71-yearold
female patient referred to the Department
of Prosthodontics due to pain characteristic
of inferior alveolar nerve neuralgia on the left
side. Due to significant atrophy of the alveolar
processes of the mandible, the patient was
provided with a complete set of dentures at the
same time relieving areas most susceptible to
pressure. Prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with IAN
or its branch neuralgia requires an individualized
approach, meticulous clinical examination and
proper planning of procedures undertaken in
order to achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes.
These primarily include: ensuring stabilization
and retention during denture settling, protecting
anatomical structures, preventing the formation
of painful pressure sores and stomatopathy,
protecting neurovascular bundles from
compression, and thereby eliminating symptoms
such as neuralgia, paresthesia, dysesthesia or
hypoesthesia.