A comparison of broad and narrow retractors for lingual nerve protection during lower third molar surgery.

The incidence of altered lingual nerve sensation following lower third molar removal was examined in 150 cases where a broad retractor was used to retract the lingual flap and compared with 150 cases where a more conventional Howarth's periosteal elevator was employed. This study supports the view that a broad retractor employed to protect the lingual nerve during lower third molar surgery produces significantly less altered lingual nerve sensation at 1 month than a Howarth's periosteal elevator used for the same purpose.