Evaluation of the Dimensions of Anterior Loop of Mental Nerve in CBCT: A Radiographic Analysis.

Abstract

Information on the dimensions of the anterior loop of mental nerve is important for dental implant placement. The purpose of this study was to determine the total length of anterior loop of mental nerve from the mental foramen. CBCT data of 150 patients were evaluated. We found that the anterior loop was absent in 56.4% of patients on the left side and 61.7% patients on the right side. 19.5% of the total patients (29 patients) had up to 4mm length of the loop which was exactly same on both right and left sides. The remaining 16.8% on the left side (25 patients) and 14.1% on the right side (21 patients) had the length of the loop ranging between 4.1 and 8mm. The rest 7.4% of patients on the left side and 4.7% patients on the right side had more than 8mm of the loop length. Based on this study, the dimensions of the anterior loop are variable and hold great significance in dental implant planning in the mandibular premolar region.