Evaluation of bone width lateral to the mandibular canal as an alternative approach for implant installation.

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to realize an indirect morphometric evaluation of bone thickness lateral to the mandibular canal.

Material And Methods: In 30 partially or totally edentulous dry jaws, the first and second molar areas were analyzed using computed tomography.

Results: The findings indicated that 28.33% of the sites could be considered for the installation of a standard 3.75-mm-diameter implant laterally between the mandibular canal and its bony counterpart.

Conclusion: Implant installation in the posterior mandible region, lateral to the mandibular canal, is an alternative to more complex techniques, such as vertical ridge augmentation.