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. 2015;10(2):117-21.
Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Location of Mental Foramen in a Selected Iranian Population: A CBCT Assessment

Leila Khojastepour  1 , Sanam Mirbeigi  2 , Sabah Mirhadi  1 , Ateieh Safaee  2
Affiliations

Location of Mental Foramen in a Selected Iranian Population: A CBCT Assessment

Leila Khojastepour et al. Iran Endod J. 2015.

Abstract

Introduction: Mental foramen (MF) is an important anatomic landmark in dentistry and knowledge about its variable locations (L) and type of emergence (TE), has an effect on the sufficiency of local anesthesia and safety of surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the L and TE of this radiographic landmark as well as the presence of accessory MF, by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods and materials: In this cross sectional study, a total of 156 CBCT images were retrieved from the archive of a private radiology clinic and were then evaluated for the position of MF and its TE and the existence of accessory foramina in the body of mandible. The extracted information was compared in both genders, in both sides of mandible and among three different age groups (20-29, 30-44 and 45-59 years). The Pearson chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: Second premolar was the most common anterolateral L of MF; in general, 48.7% of right and 51.9% of left MFs were located at the apex of second premolar. Anterior and straight ET were more common in right and left side, respectively. Accessory MF was present in only 8 (5.1%) of cases.

Conclusion: The possible presence of accessory MF should not be overlooked for avoiding the occurrence of a neurosensory disturbance during surgery and implant insertion.

Keywords: Accessory Mental Foramen; Anatomic Landmarks; CBCT; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Mandible; Mental Foramen.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CBCT images show the mental foramen and accessory mental foramen below the apex of second premolar and first molar, respectively; A) volume style and B) ray cast style
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mandibular canal emerging to mental foramen on surface of mandibular body in axial CBCT images. There are three emergence types; A) straight, B) anterior and C) posterior
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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