Avoiding the mental foramen during periapical surgery.

Many endodontists avoid surgical procedures in proximity to the mental foramen. Although a healthy respect for regional anatomy is important, this should not be at the expense of failing to offer the most appropriate endodontic care. When correct preoperative diagnostic and surgical techniques are used, serious negative sequelae are rarely encountered. Three simple steps used during presurgical diagnosis, flap design, and surgery are presented to increase the practitioner's confidence and safety while performing mandibular periapical surgery.