The mandibula nerve plays a crucial function in moving your mouth. It usually separates from the trigeminal nerve and connects with the bottom jaw. It interacts with other cranial nerve fibers and serves both motor and sensory functions in your head. The trigeminal nerve controls both facial sensations and chewing and biting movements.
MANDIBULAR NERVE LOCATION AND STRUCTURE
The mandibular nerve is situated at the brain’s base and extends toward the lower jawbone. It originates from the trigeminal and cranial nerves, which are in charge of facial motor and sensory activities. The mandibular nerve has many branches, such as the inferior alveolar nerve, lingual nerve, auriculotemporal nerve, medial pterygoid nerve, masseteric nerve, buccal nerve, and nerves to the temporalis.
MANDIBULAR NERVE FUNCTION
The mandibular nerve transmits sensory, and motor signals, meaning it is connected to both senses and movements. The primary role of the mandibular nerve is to control muscle movements, enabling you to chew. The nerve contains sensory fibers from the chin, gums, lower lip, jaw, and lower teeth that let you feel temperature changes inside and around the mouth and touch or feel pain. Besides, the mandibular nerve can deliver sensations from the tongue’s back, although a separate nerve is in charge of taste.
MANDIBULAR NERVE DAMAGE SYMPTOMS
The mandibular nerve can be damaged during dental procedures like wisdom teeth removal, root canal, lower jaw implant installation, dental anesthesia’s deep injections, and some oral surgery types. The nerve can also be destroyed by diseases affecting the nerves or traumatic injury. Some of the symptoms of mandibular nerve damage include abnormal sensations, severe pain, and numbness in the lower lip, chin, and lower teeth. Other people usually experience difficulty anytime they want to open their mouths. These symptoms significantly affect the quality of life since they interrupt your speaking, drinking, eating, brushing your teeth, shaving, kissing, and applying makeup.