The objective of this study was to: (1) model the course of the lingual nerve (LN) in the third molar region using digitized data and (2) investigate landmarks to aid in predicting the position of LN. A MicroScribe 3-DX digitizer and Autodesk® Maya® 8.5 were used to create 3-D in-situ models of LN for seven human cadaveric specimens. Regression analysis demonstrated that an anteriorly positioned lingula is directly proportional to the vertical distance of the LN relative to the alveolar crest (p < 0.05). A superiorly positioned mylohyoid ridge was also directly proportional to the vertical distance of the LN relative to the alveolar crest (p < 0.05). The LN is positioned closer to the alveolar crest in specimens where the mylohyoid ridge is positioned superiorly (p = 0.001). This study demonstrated a novel way of quantifying the relative position of the LN using 3-D computer modeling.

The objective of this study was to: (1) model the course of the lingual nerve (LN) in the third molar region using digitized data and (2) investigate landmarks to aid in predicting the position of LN. A MicroScribe 3-DX digitizer and Autodesk® Maya® 8.5 were used to create 3-D in-situ models of LN for seven human cadaveric specimens. Regression analysis demonstrated that an anteriorly positioned lingula is directly proportional to the vertical distance of the LN relative to the alveolar crest (p < 0.05). A superiorly positioned mylohyoid ridge was also directly proportional to the vertical distance of the LN relative to the alveolar crest (p < 0.05). The LN is positioned closer to the alveolar crest in specimens where the mylohyoid ridge is positioned superiorly (p = 0.001). This study demonstrated a novel way of quantifying the relative position of the LN using 3-D computer modeling.