An anatomical study of mental neurovascular bundle-implant relationships

J. Bruce Bavitz, Stanton D. Harn, Carl A. Hansen, Melanie Lang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

When five to six implants are used in a fixed reconstruction, it is desirable to place the most distal implant as close to the mental nerve as possible. This allows the cantilever of the fixed prosthesis to be extended posteriorly as much as is biomechanically feasible. Forty-seven mental nerve regions were dissected on cadavers to determine the exact relationship between the mental foramen, the inferior alveolar nerve, and its two terminal branches - the incisive and mental nerves. The most anterior position in which the mental nerve was encountered was 1 mm forward or mesial to the most anterior aspect of the mental foramen. Based upon this finding, it is likely that damage to the mental nerve can be avoided if the distal surface of the most posterior implant is 1 mm anterior to the anterior border of the mental foramen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)563-567
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants
Volume8
Issue number5
StatePublished - 1993

Keywords

  • Anatomical relationship
  • Dental implant
  • Mental nerve

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oral Surgery

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