Objectives: This study evaluated the position of the mandibular foramen (MF) with regard to the occlusal plane (OP) and the anterior border (AB) of the mandibular ramus (AB) in a sample of 7–12-year-old Saudi children using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive, observational study, 155 CBCT scans were selected and analyzed for positional changes in the MF. Reconstructed panoramic and axial sections were used to measure the MF-OP and MF-AB distances, respectively, on both the right and left sides of the mandible. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey's honest significant difference post hoc tests where applicable, at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The mean distance of MF from the AB of the ramus was 14.68 mm, with no significant differences between the genders (P > 0.05). The MF moved upward from a position below the OP to above it, according to age in both males and females, and the difference between the age groups was significant (P < 0.05). No significant differences (P < 0.05) in the mean values of distances between the right and left sides of the mandible were seen. Conclusions: The location of the MF varies with respect to age and should be considered while administering inferior alveolar nerve block in children to achieve a more effective anesthesia.

Background: It is essential that the dentist understand the positional variations of the mental foramen to perform different types of dental procedures. This study was conducted to identify the position of the mental foramen among the Saudi population of Al Hasa. Material and Methods: According to the selection criteria of 200 CBCT images, 101 images were selected. The selected images were categorized into five groups with respect to patient age. Each image was evaluated from both sides of the mandible and then recorded in six classes (position I-VI) according to the horizontal position and three classes in the vertical position. Results: In the Saudi Al Hasa population, Type 4 (at the level of 2nd premolar) was the most common location for mental foramen in the horizontal direction, on the right side (n= 41; 40.6%) and on the left side (n=44; 43.6%). Mental foramen was found in the vertical location, Type 3 (below the apex of 1st and 2nd premolars) was found in the right side (n= 54; 53.5%) and left side (n=56; 55.4%). The position of mental foramen is not constant and changes according to gender and ethnicity. This warrants dentists to evaluate patients individually. Conclusion: Even though the present study was done with a small sample of patients it provides a picture about approximate location of mental foramen among the target group of a population.