Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Dept. of Restorative Dentistry, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Orthodontic Resident; Georgia School of Orthodontics, Georgia, Atlanta, USA; Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist in private practice, Ahvaz, Iran.
10.30476/dentjods.2026.109790.2914
Abstract
Background: Mental foramen (MF) is a sensitive anatomy that should be avoided in surgeries like dental implantation. Therefore, epidemiological studies evaluating anatomic variations of the main MFs and accessory foramens are of significant clinical importance.
Purpose: Due to controversies over MF characteristics, this study was conducted to examine comprehensively the anatomical properties of main and accessory mental foramina in a rather large sample of Iranians by employing cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).
Materials and Method: In this epidemiological cross-sectional study, 452 hemi-mandibles of 234 patients (age: 50.1±13.3 years, 113 males, 121 females) were examined. The presence of MF and accessory MF (AMF), horizontal and vertical diameters, surface areas, shapes, position, and distance of AMF to MF, and the closest tooth to the MF were recorded. Data were analyzed using Fisher, chi-square, McNemar, independent-samples t-test, and paired t-test.
Results: Prevalences of MF and AMF were 99.9% and 5.5%. Oval, round, irregular, linear, and tear-drop shapes were respectively seen in 43.8%, 33.6%, 18.6%, 3.1%, and 0.4% of cases. The closest tooth to the MF was the second premolar (96.4%) followed by the first premolar (2.7%). MF’s width and height were 3.31±0.82 and 3.17±0.75 mm. The AMF was seen mostly mesial-superior (33.3%) and distal-superior (25.0%) to the MF. The AMF’s width and height were 1.91±0.82 and 2.00±0.81 mm. The MF-AMF distance was 6.60±3.14 mm. Only MF height and surface area were greater in males than females (t-test p Value<0.001).
Conclusion: MF can be found around the second premolar and usually in oval and round shapes. Its height might be larger in men. Accessory foramens were rare and unilateral.
Keywords
