Assessment of lingual nerve functions after smoking cessation |
| |
| Authors: | Anne Barbara Rittich Jens Ellrich |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials, Centre of Implantology, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany,;2. Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark;3. Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany |
| |
| Abstract: | Objective: Cigarette smoking is associated with a variety of oral diseases. A previous study showed a reduction of thermal sensitivity in the innervation area of the lingual nerve in smokers possibly caused by a degeneration of thermosensitive receptors as a consequence of smoking. The current study investigates somatosensory changes in ex-smokers.Materials and methods: Sensory functions in innervation areas of lingual nerve were investigated in 40 ex-smokers by psychophysical means. Functions of lingual nerve in 40 ex-smokers were compared to those in 40 smokers and 40 non-smokers. Subjects were investigated using quantitative sensory testing (QST, cold and warm detection, thermal sensory limen, heat and cold pain, and mechanical detection).Results: Significant differences were found in both groups, ex-smokers and smokers compared to non-smokers. Cold (p?p?p?p?Conclusions: The lower temperature sensitivity of ex-smokers compared to that in non-smokers indicates a reduction of somatosensory function of the tongue, possibly caused by irreversible nerve degeneration associated with smoking. Influencing factors leading to sensory changes could be modulation of thermo-receptors, demyelination as well as a change of the epithelial structure. |
| |
| Keywords: | Smoking cessation quantitative sensory testing lingual nerve somatosensation |
|
|
