Which structure is primarily innervated by the mental nerve?

The mental nerve is primarily responsible for innervating the buccal soft tissues of the premolars. It is a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve and specifically provides sensory innervation to the skin of the chin, lower lip, and buccal mucosa in the area of the premolars.

Understanding the anatomy involved is crucial. The mental nerve emerges from the mental foramen, which is typically located near the area of the premolars, making it well-positioned to affect the buccal soft tissues in this region. This nerve does not supply the pulp of the teeth; instead, the pulp of the incisors is innervated by the incisive branch of the inferior alveolar nerve. Similarly, the lingual soft tissues are innervated by the lingual nerve, and the molars are primarily innervated through branches of the posterior superior alveolar nerve and not the mental nerve.