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Unilateral Atrophy of Fungiform Papillae Associated with Lingual Nerve Injury

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Cecile L. Phan*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Jodi L. Kashmere
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sanjay Kalra
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
*
2F1-24 Walter Mckenzie Center, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R7, Canada
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The lingual nerve is at risk of injury during common dental procedures because of its proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve and the roots of the third molar tooth. Lingual nerve injury has been documented following extraction of wisdom teeth, dental anesthetic injections, and other endodontic procedures. We present a case of loss of somatosensory function and taste associated with the intriguing finding of fungiform papillae atrophy as a result of lingual nerve injury.

Type
Peer Reviewed Letter
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2006

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