Structural Features of the Mental Foramen in a Saudi Subpopulation: A Retrospective CBCT Study.

Mohammed Mashyakhy,Amani Abeery,Zainab Sairafi,Ahmed Mostafa,Nazeeha Hakami,Abdulaziz Abu-Melha,Riyadh Alroomy,Hitesh Chohan,Friedrich P Paulsen

doi:10.1155/2021/1138675

Mohammed Mashyakhy, Amani Abeery + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1138675

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Abstract

Introduction Accurate and precise knowledge about the position, size, and shape of the mental foramen (MF) are critical in avoiding procedural complications. The MF's anatomical features vary among different ethnic groups, and various radiographic techniques have been used to determine these variations. Aims To evaluate the MF's shape, vertical and horizontal positions, and distance from the border of the mandible. To evaluate the differences among genders as they pertain to the right and left sides of the mandible and research the bilateral symmetry regarding the same variables. Materials and Methods Cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) scans of 155 Saudi patients (69 males and 86 females) who visited the college of dentistry's clinics were obtained from the college database for this retrospective study. All the scans were analyzed by 3 calibrated examiners. The data collected was analyzed statistically, and results were obtained. Results The MF was located under the mandibular second premolar in 56.9% of cases, whereas in 26.9% of cases, it was located between the first and second mandibular premolar. The most prevalent position was below the level of the apices of the mandibular premolar teeth (87.2%). The round shape was most frequent (44.9%) compared to the H-oval (34.7%) and V-oval (20.4%). The V-oval shape was more frequent in males, while the H-oval shape was more frequent in females. The average distance from the center of the MF to the mandibular border was 14.03 ± 1.58 mm, with males exhibiting a greater distance than females. Overall, there were no significant differences between the bilateral symmetry and the right and left sides for all parameters. Conclusion The most common position of the MF was under the root apex of the mandibular second premolar, with an average distance of about 14 mm from the border of the mandible. The position and shape of the MF were the same bilaterally in the majority of individuals.

Highlights

Accurate and precise knowledge about the position, size, and shape of the mental foramen (MF) are critical in avoiding procedural complications
The present study reported the MF was most prominent in H4 and V3, which is at the level of the mandibular second premolar horizontally and below its apex vertically
Within the limitations of our study, the MF was most prevalent below the level of the second mandibular premolar

Summary

Introduction

Accurate and precise knowledge about the position, size, and shape of the mental foramen (MF) are critical in avoiding procedural complications. The most common position of the MF was under the root apex of the mandibular second premolar, with an average distance of about 14 mm from the border of the mandible. The mental foramen (MF) is a highly important anatomical landmark in the mandible that can be defined as a bilateral funnel-like opening on the buccal surface of the mandible. It is mostly presented inferiorly and between the root tips of the mandibular premolars. The importance of locating the MF is not limited to the dental field; plastic surgeons and emergency physicians for procedures that include periapical surgery, orthognathic surgery, the repair of lower lip and chin lacerations, and facial reconstructive surgery need

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