Anatomical importance of mental foramen for skeletal anchorage

Abstract

Mental foramen is an important anatomical landmark in dentistry and its knowledge is very important because it transfers the mental nerve and vessels. Mini-implants are widely used nowadays in orthodontics for skeletal anchorage. Morphometric evaluation of mental foramen using cone beam computed tomography will help in safe placement of mini-implants and temporary anchorage devices without encroaching upon the foramen. The aim of this research was to study the morphology and morphometry of the mental foramen using CBCT in dentate adult Kashmiri population. Thirty one cone beam computed tomography were studied to analyze the shape, position and distance of mental foramen.The purpose of this study was to use existing Cone Beam Computed Tomography images to determine the vertical and horizontal location of the mental foramen in relation to the mandibular first and second premolars, and the distance in millimeters from the apex of each. The distance from 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 5.61mm (SD= 2.09) and 5.97mm (SD=2.33), respectively. The foramen was located 10.11mm (SD=2.33) from the inferior border of the mandible. The most common horizontal position of the foramen was in between mandibular first and second premolar (38.7%). The mental foramen was further away from the inferior border of the mandible in males and older patients. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences regarding age group and the gender. It was found that the most common variation of mental foramen was round shape (67.7%). An accessory mental foramen was detected in 3.2% of the analyzed population.