Accessory mental foramen: A rare anatomical variation detected by cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

The mental foramen is a bilateral opening in the vestibular portion of the mandible through which nerve endings, such as the mental nerve, emerge. In general, the mental foramen is located between the lower premolars. This region is a common area for the placement of dental implants. It is very important to identify anatomical variations in presurgical imaging exams since damage to neurovascular bundles may have a direct influence on treatment success. In the hemimandible, the mental foramen normally appears as a single structure, but there are some rare reports on the presence and number of anatomical variations; these variations may include accessory foramina. The present report describes the presence of accessory mental foramina in the right mandible, as detected by cone-beam computed tomography before dental implant placement.

The clinical anatomy of accessory mental nerves and foramina

“…Careful dissection left the AMN undamaged. Torres et al (2015) visualized AMFs arising from the mandibular canal using CBCT for presurgical imaging. After surgery, the patient experienced no atypical symptoms or signs of paresthesia.…”

“…In this case, the oral and maxillofacial radiologist at their department, with 10 years of experience in imaging diagnosis, detected no AMFs using panoramic radiography. Torres et al (2015) visualized AMFs arising from the mandibular canal using CBCT for presurgical imaging.…”

Prevalence of Accessory Mental Foramina: A Study of 4,000 CBCT Scans

“…These have predominantly been termed accessory mental foramina (AMF). It is necessary to distinguish between a true AMF (one which branches from the mandibular canal) and a nutrient canal (which supplies nutrients to the mandible and has no communication with the mandibular canal; Katakami et al, ; Naitoh et al, ; Kalender et al, ; Iwanaga et al, ; Torres et al, ).…”

“…To date, there has been significant interest in the course of the mandibular canal, so as to avoid injury to the critical neurovascular structures within. Consideration of the AMF is highly important during many aspects of clinical dentistry such as local anesthesia and oral surgery, for example, implant, periodontal and endodontic surgery, in order to avoid postoperative sensory disturbances or hemorrhage, which may lead to an unfavorable outcome of the planned treatment (Naitoh et al, ; Cantekin and Şekerci, ; Imada et al, ; Muinelo‐Lorenzo et al, ; Paraskevas et al, ; Torres et al, ; Iwanaga et al, ).…”

FORAMEN MENTONIANO ACCESORIO: PRESENTACION DE UN CASO Y REVISION DE LA BIBLIOGRAFIA. Accessory mental foramen: A case report and literature review.

“…Otros autores lo describen como un pequeño foramen o foramina alrededor del FM que se conecta con el conducto dentario inferior. De acuerdo a la clasificación del FMA también se lo conoce como foramen mental doble, foramen mental adicional, foramen mental múltiple, foramen mental accesorio, foramen mandibular bucal suplementario o foramen bucal accesorio (Iwanaga et al, 2015;Gomes Torres et al, 2015). Se realizó una ortopantomografía digital con 68Kv y 10mA y una tomografía computada de haz cónico con 90Kv y 10mA, con el equipo promax-3D plus (Planmeca oy, Finlandia).…”