3. IN THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA
SPHENOPALATINE/PTERYGOPALATINE GANGLION
• PALATINE BRANCHES
1. ANTERIOR/GREATER
PALATINE
• Sensory to the mucosa of the
hard palate & palatal gingiva.
2. MIDDLE PALATINE
• Sensory to the mucous
membrane of the soft palate.
4. 3.POSTERIOR PALATINE
• sensory & secretomotor to the mucous membrane of the
Tonsillar area.
PROSTHODONTIC IMPLICATION
• Thermal perception may be hindered in case of complete
palatal coverage prosthesis designs
5. • NASAL BRANCHES
NASOPALATINE/SPHENOPALATI
NE
• Descends into the incisal canal
to appear in the anterior part
of the hard palate & supplies
the mucous membrane of the
premaxilla.
• In resorbed ridges, improper
relief of the incisal canal during
impression making leads to
nerve impingement leading to
tingling sensation or even
necrosis of the area.
6. POSTERIOR SUPERIOR
ALVEOLAR
• Divides into 3 branches
which emerge through the
pterygomaxillary fissure.
• 2 branches enter the
posterior wall of the maxilla
above the tuberosity& supply
the 3 molar teeth(except the
mesiobuccal root of first
molar). The third branch
pierces the buccinator &
supplies the adjoining part of
the gingiva & cheek along
the buccal side of the upper
molar teeth.
7. IN THE INFRAORBITAL CANAL
• MIDDLE SUPERIOR
ALVEOLAR
Its branches supply the
maxillary premolars and
mesio buccal root of first
molars and its respective
mucous membrane.
• ANTERIOR SUPERIOR
ALVEOLAR
Supplies the incisors,
canine, mucous membrane
of the anterior part of the
lateral wall & floor of the
nasal cavity.
8. PROSTHODONTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF POSTERIOR,
MIDDLE AND ANTERIOR SUPERIOR ALVEOLAR
NERVES
• Pulp exposure may be observed during tooth
preparation of the abutment to achieve a common
path of insertion for FPDs
• Pain or discomfort may be observed during the
preparation of subgingival finish lines
