When receiving dental implants in the lower jaw, in either of the two back molar or the second premolar positions, it may be necessary to reposition the inferior alveolar nerve. The inferior alveolar nerve allows feeling in the chin and lower lip. Dental implants require a titanium post to be placed into the jawbone. In these positions in the lower jaw, there is a very high risk that the titanium post would puncture the nerve, severing feeling in the chin and lower lip.
The repositioning of this nerve is considered to be a slightly risky procedure due to the fact that there is a higher than normal chance of post-operative numbness. Post-operative numbness usually goes away very slowly, but can last a lifetime.