Frequency and anatomic variability of the mandibular lingual foramina: a cone-beam CT study

Abstract

Background To evaluate the distribution of lingual foramina (LF) and their correlation with demographic characteristics and mandible width, shape, and bone thickness in Caucasian Italian patients subjected to cone-beam CT (CBCT). Methods CBCTs were reviewed to assess the number of all LF, midline and lateral LF. We also assessed the relationship of the number of lateral LF with gender and mandibular width, shape, and bone thickness using the Chi Square test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Three-hundred patients (180 males; age range: 21–87 years) were included. The highest frequency per patient was of 2 LF (97/300, 32.3%), followed by 3 (81/300, 27%) and 4 (53/300, 17.7%). No LF were observed in 2/300 patients (0.7%), while the highest number was of 8 LF in one patient. The highest frequency of midline LF per person was of 2 LF (57.3%, 172/300), while the highest number per person was 5 LF in one patient (0.3%). The highest frequency of midline LF located above and below the genial tubercle was of 1 in 197/300 patients (65.7%) and in 169/300 patients (56.3%), respectively. Concerning lateral LF, the highest frequencies were of 0 (113/300, 37.7%) and of 1 (112/300, 37.3%). We did not observe any significant difference of the number of midline and lateral LF based on gender (P = .438 and P = .195, respectively) or mandible width (P = .069 and P = .114, respectively). The mandible shape was normal in 188 cases, with facial constriction in 42, lingual constriction in 54, and hour glass constriction in 16. The mean bone thickness was 10.76 mm in the symphysis, 10.92 mm in the right hemiarches, and 10.68 in the left hemiarches. No significant differences in the distribution of LF were observed also based on mandibular shape and bone thickness (both with P > .05). Conclusions We have shown the high variability of number and anatomic distribution of LF in an Italian group of patients subjected to CBCT without reporting any association with gender and mandible width, shape, and bone thickness.

Measurement and Analysis of Anatomical Structures Associated with the Implantation of Anterior Mental Foramen Based on CBCT

“…Multiple cadaver studies consistently found that 64%-99.7% of individuals had a median lingual foramen [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] . By gross anatomy, the lateral foramen of the tongue contains a branch of the submental artery.…”

“…Several studies have shown that the distance from the median lingual foramen to the alveolar ridge is 4.73-24.43 mm, and the average distance is 15.49 mm. The diameter range of the lingual foramen is 0.18-1.8 mm [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] .…”

Morphometric Analysis of the Midline Mandibular Lingual Canal and Mandibular Lingual Foramina: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Evaluation

“…All surgeons and implantologists should not minimize the risk of life-threatening situations resulting from surgical procedures, including dental implant placement in an apparently safe region of the mandible, especially when they know that MLF/MLC frequency is high and complications may occur [ 8 , 25 , 32 ]. Therefore, it is essential to stress the following advice.…”

Evaluation of the distribution characteristics of the mandibular lingual foramen and its potential risks during implant surgery using cone‐beam computed tomography a cross‐sectional, retrospective study

“…8,9 "The lingual foramina host important vascular and neural structures, derived from the floor of mouth, which perforate the cortical bone of the mandible on the lingual side, providing vascular and nerve supply to the mental region". 10 So, when the mandibular surgery damages the mandibular lingual foramen and blood vessels passing through it, it may cause critical bleeding complications. Furthermore, because the anatomical nomenclature of the mandibular lingual foramen has yet to be established, the naming of the mandibular lingual foramen varies between the studies.…”

“…Many studies have found that the sources of blood vessels entering the mandible through the lingual foramen are the sublingual and submental arteries 8,9 . “The lingual foramina host important vascular and neural structures, derived from the floor of mouth, which perforate the cortical bone of the mandible on the lingual side, providing vascular and nerve supply to the mental region” 10 . So, when the mandibular surgery damages the mandibular lingual foramen and blood vessels passing through it, it may cause critical bleeding complications.…”