Use of cone beam computed tomography in the determination of mental foramen location in relation to mandibular 1st and 2 nd premolars

Abstract

USE OF CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN THE DETERMINATION OF MENTAL FORAMEN LOCATION IN RELATION TO MANDIBULAR 1 AND 2 PREMOLARS By Sanjay P. Bhagchandani DMD, BS A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Program Director: Karan J. Replogle DDS, MS, Chair and Postgraduate Program Director, Endodontics The purpose of this study was to use existing Cone Beam Computer Tomography images to determine the vertical and horizontal location of the mental foramen in relation to the mandibular first and second premolars, as well as the distance in millimeters from the apex of each. The distance from the inferior border of the foramen to the inferior border of the mandible was also recorded. The average distance from the apices of the mandibular first and second premolars to the mental foramen was 7.43mm (SD= 1.97) and 5.30mm (SD=1.65) respectively. The foramen was located 11.44mm (SD=1.49) from the inferior border of the mandible. The foramen was in line with the apex of the mandibular second premolar 41% of the time. The mental foramen was further away from the inferior border of the mandible in males and older patients. Mental foramina seemed to be positioned more apically and distally in older patients.