This study evaluated the effects of age and sex on the location and size of the mental foramen (MF). A total of 104 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from patients' aged 18–80 years were selected. Images were evaluated using the following parameters: position and size of the MF, and Distances A (distance from the upper limit of the MF to the apex of the first lower premolar), B (distance from the upper cortical border of the MF to the alveolar crest), and C (distance from the border of the MF to the base of the mandible). Results revealed that the location of the MF was predominantly apical (44.4%), between the long axes of the premolars, at an average distance of 4.92 mm from the root of the first lower premolar. The height of the MF was significantly different between both sexes (3.41 and 2.99 mm, resp.; mean height: 3.11 mm; P=0.003). The MF was located on average at 11.21 mm from the alveolar crest and 12.31 mm from the base of the mandible; the former measurement was significantly different between both sexes (13.13 and 11.98 mm, resp.; P ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the location of the MF was predominantly apical between the long axes of the premolars, and the mean size and distance of the MF were greater in men.

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We evaluated the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal associated with various facial types, age, sex, and side of the face studied. We analyzed 348 hemimandibles in subjects without a history of trauma, lesions in the lower arch, or orthognathic or repair surgery in the posterior mandible. Facial type was determined using the VERT index. The canal path was classified as Type 1 (a large, single structure passing very close to the root tips); Type 2 (a canal passing closest to the mandibular base); and Type 3 (a canal present in the posterior mandibular region, with a lower canal running through the mandibular branch, reaching the anterior region). Bifid canals (type 3) were classified into four categories according to the course and number of mandibular canals. The brachyfacial and mesofacial types presented a Type 1 canal in 95.5% (n=166) of subjects, in dolichofacial types, 68.2% (n=45) presented a Type 2 canal, while in the mesofacial type, a lower prevalence of the bifid mandibular canal was observed (13.0%, n=23) than in the other facial types. The bifid canal showed significant association with facial type only (p < 0.05), but no significant association was observed with the anterior loop type (p > 0.05). Facial type is significantly associated with the path and morphological variations of the mandibular canal, independently of the side of the face studied, age, and sex.

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Objective: To assess the prevalence of incidental findings in relation to the side of a patient's face, location, and age group on cone beam computed tomography. Material and Methods: 175 CBCT examinations were performed on patients aged between 12 and 77 years, consisting of recordings of the anatomical location and findings following each examination. For standardization of tomographic evaluations, acquired images were analyzed by two previously trained expert radiologists. After positional adjustment of the multi-dimensional images on the monitor screen, examination of each scan was conducted simultaneously on the coronal, axial, and sagittal planes. Fisher's exact tests and Chi-square tests were used to compare the frequencies of incidental findings using a significance level of 0.05. Results: The most frequent incidental finding was maxillary sinus mucosal thickening, which occurred on the right and left side in 46.3% and 46.9% of the patients, respectively. The second most frequent incidental finding was flattening of the mandibular condyle, occurring on the right and left side in 29.7% and 24% of the patients, respectively. No significant difference was observed among the individual age groups. The number of incidental findings per patient varied from 0 to 5 on the right side and left side and from 0 to 12 in total. The Kendall correlation coefficient for the number of incidental findings between the sides was 0.25 (p<0.0001), indicating a weak but significant and positive association between the sides in relation to the number of incidental findings. The mean total number of incidental findings was 4.07. Conclusion: The prevalence of the individual incidental findings and the total number of findings were not statistically different. However, some alterations were more likely to be observed bilaterally.