The anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve within the mentonian foramen: a scoping review

Surg Radiol Anat. 2024 Aug;46(8):1265-1278. doi: 10.1007/s00276-024-03395-w. Epub 2024 Jun 18.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to delineate the safety zone concerning the anteriorization of the AL and correlate it with the behavior of the AL, analyzing its feasibility.

Methods: Adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) manual guidelines, both the protocol and this review were conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. MeSH terms, combined with free terms, were utilized to search for articles in the following databases: Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature.

Results: Fifteen articles were select following the eligibility criteria. An average safe zone of 4.75 mm in humans was observed, with a prevalence 60.8% and average anterior length of the AL of 2.09 mm in humans.

Conclusion: The AL has varied patterns across different populations, then, it could not be asserted a 100% safe zone. Preoperative analysis of the AL with CBCT is always necessary. While it could be stated that a safe zone should be employed as an inviolable region, stipulated measures of a safe zone should be regarded as an area of greater attention in preoperative planning.

Keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; Dental implants; Inferior alveolar nerve; Mandibular nerve; Mental nerve; Review.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anatomic Variation
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
  • Humans
  • Mandibular Nerve* / anatomy & histology
  • Mandibular Nerve* / diagnostic imaging