Identification of Mandibular Foramen Position Based on Age of RSGM UMY Patients Using Panoramic Radiographs

Abstract

Mandibular foramen (MF) is the main target of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) because it is the place of the inferior alveolar nerve transmission. The MF position can be different between each person due to the growth of the mandible with age. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the MF position based on age to ensure the success of IANB which has 15-20% of failure rate. The purpose of this study was to identify the MF position seen from the age of population in RSGM UMY using panoramic radio-graphy. A total of 330 panoramic radiographs of RSGM UMY's patients aged 10-29 years were selected and categorized based on the age of mandibular development. The identification was carried out vertically (seen from the height of the occlusal plane) using Corel Draw. Data were distributed based on the MF position to the occlusal plane into 3 groups (Position 1: above the occlusal plane, Position 2: parallel to the occlusal plane, Position 3: below the occlusal plane) and were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The highest percentage of MF position in each age group was found in Position 3 on both sides of the mandibular canal. The movement of the MF in the remodelling phase is in anterior-posterior direction, so, there is no difference in the MF position based on age. This hopefully can assist in determining the direction of the needle insertion in IANB.