Experts from King’s College London have warned that cases of permanent nerve damage caused by dental implants could rise further if steps are not taken to address risks and prevent injury.

Researchers from the King’s College London Dental Institute carried out a case review of 30 dental implant patients who were referred to a specialist nerve injury clinic at King’s College Hospital, part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.  The findings, published today in the British Dental Journal, reveal that patient consent and information, pre-operative planning and appropriate post-operative referral were inadequate in this patient group. The team has used these findings to make recommendations for clinicians to improve practice.