Neurotmesis is a nerve injury involving a complete severance of the nerve trunk leading to Wallerian degeneration. Due to the severing of the nerve trunk, sensory and/or motor functions are impaired with the potential for recovery being very small. In implant dentistry, neurotmesis may be caused by an accidental incision of the nerve or any of the factors leading to axonotmesis. Neurotmesis may be caused in several different ways during a surgical procedure. First, the needle used in the injection of numbing medications prior to the surgery can nick, damage, or lacerate the nerve trunk. In addition, the medication itself may cause chemical damage if it is injected directly into the nerve. During the surgery itself, the nerve and/or nerve trunk may also be damaged due to excess movement or manipulation or through compression. A direct surgical mistake which leads to the severe laceration or severing of the nerve trunk can also be the cause of neurotmesis.