Mental Nerve Neurectomy: A Comparison of Titanium Screw Versus Gutta-Percha Oburation of the Mental Foramen

TL;DR

This study compares titanium screws and gutta-percha for mental foramen obturation in trigeminal neuralgia patients, finding titanium screws more effective.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel comparison of titanium screws versus gutta-percha in mental nerve neurectomy outcomes.

Findings

Titanium screws showed no postoperative displacement or pain relapse.

Gutta-percha sticks were harder to handle and caused pain relapse.

Titanium screws provided better operator ease and long-term results.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the two mental foramen obturating techniques in parameters like operator's ease, postoperative displacement of obturation material, and remission of pain after peripheral neurectomy in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

Study design: This study adopts a single-centered comparative analytical approach.

Place and duration of study: This study was performed in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), from October 1, 2023, to February 10, 2024.

Methodology: Sixty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included and divided into two groups (30 each), and peripheral neurectomy was performed under local anesthesia. In one group, gutta-percha sticks were used to obturate the foramina, and in the other group, titanium screws were used. Postoperatively, the operator’s ease, postoperative displacement, and relapse of pain were recorded.

Results: Titanium screws were easy to handle, and there was no relapse of pain because of no displacement postoperatively when compared with gutta-percha sticks, which were hard to manipulate and showed a relapse of pain.

Conclusions: Titanium screws have better postoperative outcomes when compared with gutta-percha sticks in terms of the operator's ease, relapse of pain, and postoperative displacement.

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