Assessment of the Anterior Loop of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve in a Sample of Egyptian Population Using CBCT: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

The proper knowledge of anatomical structures and their precise position is of a paramount importance for different dental specialties. The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) canal is one of the most important anatomical landmarks in the mandible Shaban et al., 2017. By definition the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is a terminal division of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve, it is confined within the mandibular canal and innervates all the mandibular teeth. The IAN initiates from the mandibular foramen and goes obliquely downward and forward in the ramus, and then horizontally within the body of the mandible. The IAN gives off the mental nerve, which exits the mandible through the mental foramen, supplying sensory branches to the chin, lower lip, mucous membranes and the gingiva; from the midline to about the second premolar region. It then continues its path anteriorly and turn into the mandibular incisive nerve, which innervates the mandibular canines and incisors Siddiqui et al. 2018. Before leaving the mental foramen and branching into the incisive nerve, the IAN may continue anteriorly and form an anterior loop (Al). This anterior loop is the part where the IAN directs mesially and occlusally before reversing direction and coursing distally towards the mental foramen Ragu et al., 2019. During implant planning and other surgical procedures knowing the presence of the anterior loop and its length is very crucial to avoid its injury. Specially concerning implantology where the location of the mental foramen and anterior loop determines the most distal point for implant placement in the interforaminal area; in order to avoid any injury resulting in sensory disturbances in this area Panjnoush et al., 2016 Recently, several studies have been published discussing the prevalence and length measurement of the anterior loop in many populations. However, no published researches were done on the Egyptian population. Therefore, this study is designed to assess the presence of the anterior loop and its length in a sample of Egyptian population using CBCT.