Inferior alveolar nerve and branches

The inferior alveolar nerve travels through the medial surface of the mandible though the mandibular canal, dividing into the incisive and mental branches just anterior to the first premolar tooth. The incisive branch innervates the first premolar, canine, and incisor teeth along with the associated vestibular gingiva. The mental nerve passes through the mental foramen on the anterior mandible, typically below the second premolar tooth, before dividing into two or three branches that supply sensation to the skin of the chin, the mucous membrane of the lower lip, and the buccal gingivae of the mandibular teeth and premolars.