Regarding surgical removal of wisdom teeth, which statement is true?

The statement regarding raising a lingual flap in the context of wisdom teeth extraction being associated with an increase in the incidence of neurapraxia, while simultaneously reducing the incidence of neurotmesis, is accurate.

When a lingual flap is raised during the surgical removal of wisdom teeth, it allows improved visibility and access to the impacted tooth and surrounding structures. However, this procedure also poses a risk of injury to nearby nerves. Neurapraxia is a temporary condition resulting from nerve compression, which can occur more frequently with manipulative surgical techniques and might be exacerbated by the raising of a flap. On the other hand, neurotmesis is a more severe, permanent nerve injury where the nerve is completely severed. The careful technique employed while raising a flap can allow for more meticulous dissection and preservation of nerve structures, potentially lowering the incidence of such severe damage.

Thus, this statement highlights an important consideration in surgical technique, illustrating the trade-off between providing visibility and access during surgery and the associated risks to nerve integrity. Understanding this dynamic is essential for dental clinicians to weigh the benefits of thorough surgical access against the potential for nerve-related complications.