Anatomical Insights into the Inferior Alveolar and Mental Nerves: A Descriptive Study in the Moroccan Population

Introduction: The inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and the mental foramen are important anatomical structures in the mandible. The IAN traverses the mandibular canal from the mandibular foramen to the mental foramen. Its intramandibular trajectory may present variations, manifesting itself as simple, bifid or trifid. Identification of these variations makes it possible to plan surgery safely and appropriately. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the various clinical presentations of the inferior alveolar nerve and mental foramen in a Moroccan subpopulation, based on the analysis of CBCT images. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Radiology Central Unit of the dental consultation and treatment center at Casablanca University Hospital. It concerned CBCT examinations of patients who consulted the radiology unit during the study period. Informed consent from the patients was obtained orally. Results: A total of 286 CBCTs of the posterior mandibular region were interpreted, divided between the right (50.7%) and left (49.3%) sides, Age and sex variations were not taken into account. The results showed that the IAN was simple in 94.3% of cases and bifid in 5.2%. The mental foramen showed a retrograde trajectory in 51.4% of cases. Discussion: Anatomical variations such as bifidity of the IAN and the anterior loop of the mental nerve, although uncommon in the Moroccan population studied, need to be identified during surgical planning to reduce the risk of complications. The frequency of these variations depends on the population and the imaging techniques used. CBCT imaging provides a detailed analysis of mandibular structures and is a recommended method for preoperative evaluation.