Evaluation of position, shape, size and incidence of mental foramen and accessory mental foramen in Indian adult human skulls

Abstract

Objectives: Analysis of morphometry and incidences of mental and accessory mental foramina are important for dental surgeons in nerve block and surgical procedures to avoid injury to neurovascular bundle. This study was carried out to present such data on mental and accessory mental foramina in Indian population. Methods: The study experimented with 100 dried adult human mandibles. Size and position were determined using digital vernier callipers. Incidences and shapes of mental and accessory mental foramina were also observed. Results: Bilateral mental foramina were presented in all one hundred mandibles. Accessory mental foramina were found in 8% on left side, 5% on right side and nil bilaterally. Mental foramina were predominantly rounded. Average diameters of mental and accessory mental foramina were measured as 2.68 mm and 1.00 mm, respectively. The percentages of locations of mental foramina below the apex of second premolar, between first and second premolars and between second premolar and first molar were found as 68.8, 17.8 and 11.5, respectively. Accessory mental foramina were located 0.67 mm lateral to mental foramen and below the apex of first molar tooth. Conclusion: This study may supplement very useful new data of variations in incidence, position, shape and size of mental and accessory mental foramina for Indian population which may help the surgeons, anaesthetists, neurosurgeons and dentists to help carrying out surgical procedures successfully.