Analysis of the frequency of visualization of morphological variations in anatomical bone features in the mandibular interforaminal region through cone-beam computed tomography.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency of visualization of anatomical bone features and their possible variations in the mandibular interforaminal region through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This is a cross-sectional study that evaluated CBCT scans of the mandible of 141 women and 61 men, obtained by imaging archives from two private clinics of dental radiology. The study analyzed the frequency of visualization of: lingual symphyseal foramen (LSF), additional mental foramen (AdMF), absence of mental foramen (AbMF), mandibular incisive canal (MIC), and anterior loop (AL). Length measurements for MIC and AL were determined at first and following that the respective distances towards vestibular and lingual cortical walls were also individually verified. Statistical analyses included: Student's t test, Chi-square test, and ANOVA for the evaluation of the anatomical features observed through panoramic and parasagittal images' reconstructions. LSF presence was found in 97%, MIC in 75.9%, AL in 24%, AdMF in 4.7%, and AbMF in 2.5%. Chi-square tests demonstrated value results of p < 0.05 only for the presence of left AL in women when compared to men. Mean values for length measures of MIC and AL were of 10.1 and 2.12mm, respectively. Mean distance from AL towards vestibular and lingual cortical walls was of 2.53 and 4.05mm, respectively. Anatomical variability concerning the mandibular interforaminal region emphasizes the importance of performing CBCT in pre-operative assessment of the mandible for surgical procedures with oral implants.