Extramandibular position of the inferior alveolar nerve. Analysis and review of the literature.

We report a highly unusual case of unilateral absence of the mental foramen, with the inferior alveolar nerve exiting the mandible via an orifice situated on the lateral surface of the angle of the mandible. However, the teeth on this side of the dental arch had normal sensitivity, and the mandible had grown correctly. Despite the absence of intraosseous course, the inferior alveolar nerve seems to keep its neural and guide roles.