Oral Vitamin B12 Versus Intra-Nasal Vitamin B12 in Transient Neurosensory Disturbances Following Third Molar Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

The aim was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of intra-nasal vitamin B12 spray compared to oral B12 in the recovery of transient neurosensory disturbances of the lingual nerve post-mandibular third molar surgery.

Thirty patients, who experienced paresthesia of the tongue a day after mandibular third molar surgery, participated in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (intra-nasal vitamin B12 spray) and Group 2 (oral vitamin B12). Clinical neurosensory tests were conducted at various intervals, and the Fisher's exact test was performed for group comparisons based on recovery.

Out of the 30 patients (18 females and 12 males) with transient lingual neurosensory disturbances, after third molar extraction, 15 used the intra-nasal vitamin B12 spray, while the other 15 took oral vitamin B12 tablets. Significant recovery was observed in the nasal group compared to the oral group at POD 16 (p = 0.005) and POD 24 (p = 0.003)."

Intra-nasal vitamin B12 sprays were found to be conducive adjuvants to treat transient neurosensory disturbances following third molar surgery. Further studies on its routine application post-neurosensory complications are recommended.