Study of surgical landmarks of mandibular foramen for inferior alveolar nerve block: An Osteological study

Abstract

Background: Local Anaesthesia to inferior alveolar nerve is one of the most common procedures done by surgeons for various treatments and to make it more effective the anaesthetic agent has to be infiltrated closer to mandibular foramen. Unluckily the success rate of inferior alveolar nerve block is very less due to inaccurate localization of the mandibular foramen leading to improper placement of the needle. Objective: The present study has been carried out on dry mandibles to determine the accurate position of mandibular foramen from various landmarks of mandible to provide with the suitable data to help the surgeons to locate the Mandibular foramen with more precision for successful Inferior Alveolar Nerve block. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in department of anatomy, Yenepoya medical college. A total of 100 dry mandibles were studied on its both sides to locate the mandibular foramen using digital Vernier calipers. Results: The Mean and standard deviation values on right and left sides of the mandibles to locate the mandibular foramen from its anterior border are 17.69(±2.70), 17.94(±2.73), posterior border 11.39(±1.93), 11.40(±2.01), Mandibular notch 22.90(±3.57), 22.39(±3.18), angle of Mandible 23.87(±4.52), 23.66(±4.36) and 3M-third molar to mandibular foramen 17.9(±3.57), 17.6(±3.77) respectively. Conclusion: The comprehension of the Mandibular foramen is of a considerable importance for inferior alveolar nerve anesthesia, dento alveolar surgeries, endodontic treatments and lesions diagnosis. Its precise location enables a more effective anesthesia. Incorrect estimations of its location might be the reason for the unsuccessful anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve and damage of neurovascular structures passing through it. Keywords: Local anaesthesia, Inferior alveolar nerve, Mandibular foramen, localization, dentoalveolar surgeries