Cone-Beam CT Assessment of the Position of the Medial Lingual Foramen for Dental Implant Placement in the Anterior Symphysis.

Abstract

To determine the position of the mandibular medial lingual foramen with cone-beam CT (CBCT) 3D imaging modalities when implants are to be placed in the anterior symphysis of the mandible. A total of 111 CBCTs were considered acceptable and analyzed. The variables measured were as follows: (1) length of the outlet duct; (2) distance from the canal to the buccal cortex; (3) distance from the canal to the inferior cortex; (4) distance from the canal to the lingual cortex; (5) distance from the canal to the alveoli of the nearest tooth in dentate patients and distance from the canal to the marginal crest in edentulous patients; (6) angle of the duct to the horizontal Frankfurt plane; (7) diameter of the exit orifice; and (8) output level of the socket in relation to the teeth and the presence of bifurcations. A single canal was observed in 64% of patients; 2 canals were observed in 33% of patients; and a triple foramen was observed in 3% of patients. Women showed slightly lower values than men for each of the analyzed variables, with statistically significant differences in the length of the canal in edentulous (P = 0.029) and dentate patients (P = 0.027). The medial lingual foramen should be considered while performing presurgical planning. Careful attention is needed while setting the placement position of the dental implant to decrease the risk of complications.