Position and symmetry of mental foramen: A radiographic study in bareilly population

Abstract

Introduction: The mental foramen is located in the apical region of the mandibular premolars. Variations in its position can be a cause of complications during local anesthesia or surgical procedures as well as in the diagnosis of lesions periapically. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the position and symmetry of mental foramen on a digital orthopantomogram (OPG), and the objective was to determine the frequency of location of mental foramen in relation to apices of teeth and interdental spaces on the panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: The study was done in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, and 750 participants were selected in this study whose radiographic evaluation of mental foramen was done using OPG. The position of the image of the mental foramen was recorded according to criteria given by Wei Cheong Ngeow and Yusof Yuzawati. Statistical Analysis: The collected data were subsequently processed and analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 17. Results: We found that mental foramen is located below the second premolar in 74.4% of the patients followed by between two premolars in 19.3% of the population. In both males and females, most common position was in line with the second premolar followed by between two premolars. The mental foramen was symmetrical in 613 patients (81.7%) and asymmetrical in 137 patients (18.3%). Conclusion: In the present study, it was found that the most common position of the mental foramen was below second premolar followed by between two premolars. It was symmetrical in 81.7% of the population. In males and females, the most common position was below second premolar followed by between two premolars.