Assessment of the anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve via cone-beam computed tomography.
10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.395
- Author:
Baratollah SHABAN
1
;
Amin KHAJAVI
;
Nasim KHAKI
;
Yones MOHITI
;
Tahere MEHRI
;
Hamed KERMANI
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Anterior;
Mental loop;
Cone-beam computed tomography;
Iran
- MeSH:
Cerebral Cortex;
Classification;
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*;
Humans;
Iran;
Male;
Mandibular Nerve*
- From:Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
2017;43(6):395-400
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate different anatomical variants of the anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 71 patients (36 males and 35 females) were evaluated. We used the classification described by Solar for IAN evaluation. In this classification, three different types of IAN loops were introduced prior to emerging from the mental foramen. We classified patients according to this system and introduced a new, fourth type. RESULTS: Type I was seen in 15 sites (10.6%), type II in 39 sites (27.5%), and type III in 50 sites (35.2%). We found a new type in 38 sites (26.8%) that constituted a fourth type. CONCLUSION: We found that type III was the most common variant. In the fourth type, the IAN was not detectable because the main nerve was adjacent to the cortical plate and the incisive branch was thinner than the main branch and alongside it. In this type, more care is needed for surgeries including inferior alveolar and mental nerve transposition.
