in 35% there was a diffuse fine plexus of the
anterior superior alveolar nerve branches overlying the canine
fossa. The presence of a superior dental plexus appears to be
favoured by multiple posterior branches and by the presence
of a middle branch or an anterior branch with multiple main
branches.
It is important to monitor facial sensation preoperatively
and to carefully identify the nerve course during preoperative
radiologic evaluation because injury to it may have implica-
tions on the patient’s quality of life post-operatively. Trau-
matic or iatrogenic injury to this nerve may result in
hypesthesia, paresthesia, or pain in this area. Computed
tomography with triplanar reconstruction has enhanced our
ability to delineate the course of the infraorbital nerve through
its bony canal.