Evaluation of the Mental Foramen Position Using Digital Panoramic Radiographs in Selected Costal Population of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Mental foramen is defined as the funnel-like opening in the lateral surface of the mandible at the terminus of the mental canal. The mental foramen is the termination of the mandibular canal in the mandible, transmits the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels. Accurate position of the mental foramen would help surgeons in achieving successful anaesthesia to the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar nerve. The aim of the study was to evaluate the most common radiographic position of mental foramen in costal population of Andhra Pradesh.Materials and methods: A total of 250digital panoramic radiographs were collected between age of 16 and 60yrs, which fulfil the inclusion criteria. Results:We observed that, in 40.4% of individuals mental foramen was in line with second premolar (position 4) followed by 27.8% between the first and second premolars (position 3), least common is position 1 in 4% of the population. We also observed the mental foramen position to vary with gender and on right and left sides. Conclusion:The most common position of mental foramen is position 4. Gender and right and left side variations were also observed in our study. surgeons should carefully identity mental foramen position in achieving successful anaesthesia to the terminal branches of the inferior alveolar nervebefore going for the surgery of the lower jaw and floor of the mouth.