A nerve called the inferior alveolar nerve runs through the lower jaw. This nerve gives feeling to the lower lip and chin. In patients who have lost significant amounts of lower jawbone, it may not be possible to place implants without damaging this nerve. To address this problem, an oral surgeon can drill a small window in the bone and move the nerve to one side. The implants then can be placed through the bony canal previously filled by the nerve. This technique is not used very often because it is possible to damage the nerve just by moving it.
