The Anatomy of the Mandibular Incisive Canal and Its Influence in Implant Therapy: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review focuses on the anatomy of the mandibular incisive nerve (MIN) and its potential impact on dental implant therapy in the anterior mandible. Analyzing 14 observational cohort studies involving 1,471 patients and cadavers, primarily using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), the review found the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) present in 87% to 100% of cases, with an average length of about 10 mm and diameter near 2 mm. Implant placement, especially with lengths greater than 12 mm, may damage the MIN, potentially causing neurosensory complications, although clinical evidence linking nerve damage to morbidity remains limited. Due to anatomical variability, the authors recommend preoperative CBCT imaging to assess the MIC and minimize nerve injury risk during implant procedures in the interforaminal region.