Branching patterns and intraosseous course of the mental nerve.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the branching patterns of the mental nerve (MN) and intraosseous courses of the MN branches, and to determine the clinical relevance of the various courses of the MN branches.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the topography of the MN by dissecting 31 hemifaces of Korean cadavers. Based on the distribution area of the MN, it was divided into angular (A), medial inferior labial (ILm), lateral inferior labial (ILl), and mental (M) branches.

Soft-tissue and cortical-bone thickness at orthodontic implant sites.

Introduction: To obtain sufficient stability of implants, the thickness of the soft tissue and the cortical bone in the placement site must be considered. However, the literature contains few anatomical studies of orthodontic implants.

Methods: To measure soft-tissue and cortical-bone thicknesses, maxillae from 23 Korean cadavers were decalcified, and buccopalatal cross-sectional specimens were obtained.