The mandibular nerve leaves the cranial cavity through the foramen ovale and, after giving off the mylohyoid nerve, a peripheral motor nerve that innervates the muscles of mastication, becomes the inferior alveolar nerve. If it is suspected that the nerve is being continuously compressed from without, e.g., by a root remnant, hyperostosis, an implant or suture material, the cause should be removed surgically. If complete division of the nerve as a result of a surgical procedure is suspected, microsurgical nerve approximation (neuroplasty) or nerve transplantation is indicated.