Fig.2a: Preop CT coronal section of a healed socket of the lower 2nd premolar shows the mental loop and mental foramen.  Centrally and straightly placed implant may not invade the loop (b), whereas over buccally placed implant may (c).  Persistent pressure against the loop may lead to traumatic neuroma (d: blue outline). 

e shows freshly extracted socket.  If osteotomy is confined to the socket or slightly lingually (pink line in f), the loop is not going to be invaded.  PAs can direct implant placement to appropriate depth (g, h).

Immediate Implant and loop Last Next

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 11/24/2013, last revision 10/28/2019