Measurement and Analysis of Anatomical Structures Associated with the Implantation of Anterior Mental Foramen Based on CBCT

Abstract

To evaluate the occurrence and morphological characteristics of related anatomical structures in the anterior mental foramen region and to verify the measurement consistency by cone beam CT (CBCT) and specimen measurement. Thirty-two mandibular specimens were selected to measure the relevant anatomical structures and to take CBCT images of the specimens for 3D reconstruction using NNT-Viewer. The studies included the occurrence and diameter of the mental foramen, accessory foramen, median lingual foramen, the distance from the lower margin of the foramen to the lower margin of the mandible, and the distance from the upper margin of the foramen to the crest of the alveolar ridge. Thirty-two specimens including a total of 59 central lingual foramens, with a 100% probability of occurrence. Four specimens were found to have an accessory mental foramen, of which 1 had bilateral accessory mental foramens. Compared with direct observation, there were differences in the number of central lingual foramens in 3 specimens. The mean distance between the upper mental foramen edge and the alveolus crest was 13.7 mm. There were statistically significant differences between the two methods in measuring the distance (mm) between the central lingual aperture and the alveolar crest (P<0.05). Except for the distance between the central lingual aperture and the alveolar crest (ICC=0.658), the ICC of the other study variables was above 0.85. The measurement results of the two methods showed a high degree of consistency. The measurement results of CBCT in this study showed a high degree of consistency with the measurement results from specimens, and the relevant anatomical structures of jaw bones could be analyzed using CBCT before the operation in the intermental foramen region.