Oral Cavity - LO 3

3. Describe the innervation of the following: cheeks, teeth, and gingivae.

Cheeks (skin, buccinator m., and mucosa) are afferently innervated by the (long) buccal nn. (V3).

Teeth are innervated by alveolar nn. Maxillary teeth are innervated by superior alveolar nn. The superior dental plexus is composed of contributions from the superior alveolar brs. Posterior superior alveolar (PSA) brs. come directly from the maxillary n. (V2) in the pterygopalatine fossa. These branches descend deep to the mucosa of the maxillary sinus and afferently serve the maxillary molars. The middle superior alveolar brs. come from the infra-orbital n., and afferently innervate portions of the maxillary sinus and maxillary premolar teeth. The middle superior alveolar (MSA) brs. are frequently absent. Anterior superior alveolar (ASA) brs. also come from the infra-orbital n., and afferently serve the maxillary incisors and canines. Mandibular teeth are innervated by the inferior alveolar n. (IAN) and its brs.

Gingivae (gums) of the maxillary dental arch are innervated by brs. of V2 and the buccal n.(V3), whereas gingivae of the mandibular dental arch are innervated by brs. of V3. See tables below for a summary.