The sensory distribution of the buccal nerve.

The buccal nerve is frequently anaesthetised, and occasionally cut during surgical procedures, but its distribution is poorly documented. The aim of this study was to determine its distribution by mapping areas of sensory loss following administration of a local anaesthetic solution. Observations in 40 patients revealed marked variation in the area supplied solely by the buccal nerve and a substantial overlap with the area supplied by the inferior alveolar nerve.