Assessment of the Anterior Loop and Pattern of Entry of Mental Nerve Into the Mental Foramen: A Radiographic Study of Panoramic Images.

Introduction: The precise location of the mental foramina is an essential landmark in planning the position of dental implants in the anterior mandible. Injury to inferior alveolar nerve during anterior mandibular implant surgery causes altered sensation which greatly affects patient satisfaction.

Methods: In this study, we assessed the prevalence of anterior loop of mental nerve and the pattern of entry of mental nerve into the mental foramen.