The main nerve in the jaw is the mandibular nerve. This nerve is a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), the fifth cranial nerve. The trigeminal nerve has three main branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. The mandibular nerve specifically provides sensation and motor function to the jaw, including:
- Sensation: Feeling in the lower lip, lower gum, and parts of the cheek and chin.
- Movement: Control of the muscles used for chewing.
Damage to the mandibular nerve can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the jaw and surrounding areas. The proximity of the mandibular nerve to lower wisdom teeth is a significant consideration during dental procedures. For example, lower wisdom teeth can lie close to the nerve, potentially impacting the sensation to the lower lip and chin during extractions.
The trigeminal nerve's involvement in jaw sensation is crucial. Pain in the jaw, often described as sharp, shooting pain or an electric shock, can be a symptom of trigeminal neuralgia, a condition affecting this nerve. Many people with trigeminal neuralgia initially seek dental treatment due to the jaw pain, before a proper diagnosis is reached.
