The variable position of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in the mandibular ramus: a computed tomography (CT) study.

Introduction: This study was designed to quantify the important anatomical landmarks and the path of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) within the human mandibular body and ramus, in particular with reference to the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO).

Materials And Methods: Four hundred and eleven CT scans were studied, 299 of these were involved in determining the position of lingula; and 230 were involved in determining the course of IAN in the mandibular molar region, namely from the mesial of the mandibular first molar to the distal of the mandibular second molar; 118 were involved with both measurements.

Results: On average, the lingula was located 17.

Orthognathic surgery and implants.

The resorptive pattern of the maxilla and mandible after the dentition has been lost often leads to a discrepancy between the jaws such that a significant Class III malocclusion occurs. This discrepancy between the jaws leads to problems with both fixed and removable prosthetic reconstruction of the jaws with teeth. The jaws are often resorbed to the point where the muscle attachments become dislodging forces for conventional dentures and also to the point where adequate implants cannot be placed.