Abstract
Background. As the mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark to facilitate surgical, local anesthetic, and other invasive procedures, the present study was aimed to elucidate its morphological features and morphometric parameters with reference to surrounding landmarks. Material and Method. 105 dry adult human mandibles of unknown sex were observed for position, shape, and number of mental foramina. Their size was measured using a digital vernier caliper and statistically analyzed by mean and standard deviations (SD). Results. In most cases (74.3%), the MF was oval in shape and situated on the longitudinal axis of the 2nd premolar tooth (61% on right side and 59.1% on left side). The mean distance for the right and left sides was measured from various landmarks. Conclusion. Prior knowledge of mental foramen variations helps surgeons in planning surgery in that region to avoid nerve damage and also enable effective mental nerve block anesthesia.
Highlights
As the mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark to facilitate surgical, local anesthetic, and other invasive procedures, the present study was aimed to elucidate its morphological features and morphometric parameters with reference to surrounding landmarks
A: point at alveolar crest lying on a longitudinal axis with mental foramen; B: point at lower border of mandible lying on a longitudinal axis with mental foramen; C: point at upper margin of mental foramen; D: point at lower margin of mental foramen; W: point at symphysis menti lying on a transverse axis with mental foramen; X: point at posterior border of ramus lying on a transverse axis with mental foramen; Y: point at medial margin of mental foramen; Z: point at lateral margin of mental foramen
An accessory mental foramen (AMF) is due to branching of mental nerve prior to its passing through mental foramen. us, the veri cation of the existence of an AMF would prevent nerve injury during periapical surgery
Summary
As the mental foramen (MF) is an important landmark to facilitate surgical, local anesthetic, and other invasive procedures, the present study was aimed to elucidate its morphological features and morphometric parameters with reference to surrounding landmarks. 105 dry adult human mandibles of unknown sex were observed for position, shape, and number of mental foramina. Eir size was measured using a digital vernier caliper and statistically analyzed by mean and standard deviations (SD). In most cases (74.3%), the MF was oval in shape and situated on the longitudinal axis of the 2nd premolar tooth (61% on right side and 59.1% on le side). E mean distance for the right and le sides was measured from various landmarks. Prior knowledge of mental foramen variations helps surgeons in planning surgery in that region to avoid nerve damage and enable effective mental nerve block anesthesia
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
