Abstract
The inferior dental nerve (IDN) is an important mandibular landmark in implant dentistry. Generally, IDN enters the mandible at the mandibular foramen, runs through the mandibular canal in the lingual-buccal direction, and emerges at the mental foramen, with or without anterior loop formation. Its exact course shows high age-related and race-related variability. To avoid nerve injuries, careful examination and appropriate knowledge of the anatomy and mandibular course are recommended. Various techniques have been developed to evaluate the response of IDN to injury. The prognosis is mainly dependent on the type of injury and timing of its management. An updated review of general anatomic considerations, guidelines for protection, and management of accidental injuries is provided.