Abstract
Objective: To characterize and compare the positions and dimensions of the mental foramen (MF) openings between dentate and edentulous areas on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Material and Methods: Seventy-two CBCT images (i-CAT Next Generation, Imaging Sciences International, Hatfield, PA, USA) of the mandible were analyzed. The CBCT images were divided into two groups: Group D (dentate) - with first and second mandibular premolars; Group E (edentulous) - without first and second mandibular premolars. At the transversal cuts, two measurements were obtained: MF height – the vertical distance between the lowest point of the mandibular canal to the external cortical of the mandible’s base (MFIH); MF opening – the greatest vertical distance between the superior and inferior MF external corticals (AbMF). Also, in Group D, the MF position was studied in relation to four landmarks: 1st premolar, between 1st and 2nd premolar; 2nd premolar; and other locations. Independent sample t-test and descriptive analysis were applied. Results: Only the distance AbMF showed statistically significant difference between groups, with tendency towards increasing in group D. Group E exhibited statistically significant difference between genders for the distance AbMF, with tendency towards greater values for males. Group D showed that MF was more frequently located at the area of the 2nd premolars (65.9%), while the area of the 1st premolars was that of smallest frequency (4.9%). Conclusion: the edentulism only reduced the dimension of MF opening. Edentulous males had a greater MF opening than edentulous females.Keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; Mandible; Anatomy, Regional; Anatomic variation.
Highlights
The Mental Foramen (MF) is an important anatomic structure in the mandible’s external cortical, at the apexes of the mandibular premolars
The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were divided into two groups for analysis: Group D – with the 1st and 2nd mandibular premolars; Group E - without the 1st and 2nd mandibular premolars
The correct location of the mental foramen on images is important for the planning of surgeries, local anesthesia, and implant positioning. [1,18] The literature reports some studies that analyzed through CBCT the MF anatomic variation as: accessory foramens, hypoplasia, and absence of MF. [3,11,19] the study of anatomic variations of MF was not the aim of this present study
Summary
The Mental Foramen (MF) is an important anatomic structure in the mandible’s external cortical, at the apexes of the mandibular premolars. Conventional radiographs may detect MF anatomic variations, but errors of projection and identification can occur. The superposition of the resulting anatomic structures makes difficult the interpretation of the images, so that, the magnification and distortions may result in errors of identification. The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) advantages are: smaller dose of radiation than that of fan beam computed tomography (FBCT); no superposition of the images; high degree of spatial resolution of bone tissues; possibility of performing accurate multiplanar reconstructions, measurements, and distances among important structures of the maxillofacial complex. To the best of our knowledge, the literature lacks studies on the comparison of some parameters that would characterize MF in dentate and edentulous subjects. This study aimed to compare the positions and dimensions of MF openings between edentulous and dentate subjects matched by gender through CBCT. The tested null hypotheses were: ho – no difference in the opening and height of MF between edentulous and dentate subjects; h1no difference in the opening and height of MF between males and females
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