Identification of the Position of the Mental Foramen Based on Age in Patients at RSGM UMY Using Panoramic Radiography

Abstract

The mental foramen is part of the mandible's anatomical structure, found on both sides of the mandible. Identification of the position of the mental foramen is clinically very important in dental practice, including in carrying out anesthesia, implant placement, endodontic treatment, and consideration of surgical procedures around the mental foramen to prevent damage to the nerve tissue and blood vessels that pass through the mental foramen. This study uses panoramic radiograph to determine the position of the mental foramen based on age in patients at Dental and Oral Hospital, UMY (RSGM UMY). This research is descriptive observational with a cross-sectional approach. A total of 132 mental foramen samples from RSGM UMY patients aged 12-35 years were grouped based on age of mandibular development. Data were divided into 6 groups based on the position of the mental foramen in relation to the lower jaw posterior teeth, then processed using a descriptive statistical method using Microsoft Excel. The results of this study showed that in the 12-16 year age group, the position of the mental foramen was most often found in position 3 with 21 (15.91%), while for those aged 17-25 years, it was 32 (24.24%) and for those aged 26-35 years old, 20 (15.15%) is most often found in position 4. Most mental foramen positions reviewed using panoramic radiograph at RSGM UMY were in position 4, parallel to the second premolar of the lower jaw