Morphometric analysis of the mental foramen in a Syrian population by using cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

Anatomical knowledge is crucial for addressing diagnostic challenges, ensuring safe procedures, and avoiding potential risks. Among the various mandibular anatomical landmarks, the mental foramen (MF) is particularly significant for dental procedures, especially surgeries. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive radiographic evaluation of this region before performing such procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the size of MF and the distances from its border to the alveolar crest (AC) and to the inferior border of the mandible (IBM) in a selected Syrian population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to detect any statistically significant effect of individuals' factors, such as sex, age, dental status, and side on these anatomical parameters. The study retrospectively analyzed 200 CBCT scans (400 hemimandibles) from 104 females and 96 males, grouped into three age categories: 20-35, 36-50, and 51-65years. The hemimandibles were classified based on dental status into three groups: dentate, partially edentate, and completely edentate, and by side as right or left. The study revealed that the average horizontal and vertical diameters of MF were (3.48±0.75mm) and (3.01±0.75mm), respectively. Additionally, the average distances D1 (MF-AC) and D2 (MF-IBM) were (11.01±3.68mm) and (12.51±1.56mm) respectively. The study's findings indicated that age and dental status had a statistically significant effect on all the parameters studied, except for the horizontal diameter. Furthermore, sex had a statistically significant effect on all the parameters, while the side had no effect on any of the parameters investigated. The results of this study suggest that an understanding of the morphometry of the mental foramen is essential for clinicians, which may assist them in performing dental procedures more safely and achieving successful local anesthesia. Moreover, individual factors should be taken into consideration.