Abstract
Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) damage is a relatively uncommon but significant complication in dental and oral surgery. It occurs more frequently during procedures such as orthognathic surgery, molar extractions, implant surgery as well as endodontic treatments. It is an extremely rare observation as a result of orthodontic treatment. This report presents a case of temporary unilateral mental paresthesia occurring in a patient undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. The paresthesia was believed to result from the close proximity of the IAN to the roots of the mandibular second molar tooth, as detected in the initial panoramic radiograph. A more detailed analysis of the anatomical relationship was conducted using a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. This case highlights the importance of clinicians practicing orthodontics having a thorough understanding of clinical and radiographic signs, as well as the ability to manage such complications.