Morphometric Analysis of the Mental Foramen in Adult Sri Lankan Mandibles

Abstract

Evidence shows a clear racial variation in the position of the mental foramen. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the morphometry of the mental foramen in different populations is essential in clinical dentistry when administering regional anesthesia, and performing peripheral surgery in the mental region of the mandible. The goal of this study was to elucidate the morphological features and precise anatomical position of the mental foramen with reference to surrounding anatomical landmarks in an adult Sri Lankan population. A total of fifty one adult dry mandibles were assessed to determine the number, shape, orientation, vertical and transverse diameters of the mental foramen and the distance between the mental foramen and symphysis menti. The position of the mental foramen was determined in relation to the mandibular teeth. Data were evaluated between gender and side. The findings indicated that the most common position for the mental foramen was in line with the longitudinal axis of the lower second premolar (52.94%) followed by a position between first and second premolar (26.47%). The mean transverse and vertical diameters of the foramen were 3.31 ± 0.76 and 2.50 ± 0.61 mm, respectively. The mental foramen was located 24.87 ± 6.07 mm (right side) and 24.77 ± 6.07mm (left side) lateral to the symphysis menti. In the majority of cases, the mental foramen was oval in shape (59%) and its usual direction of opening was in a postero-superior direction (49.01%). The incidence of multiple mental foramina was 3.92%. The results of this study provide valuable information that will facilitate effective localization of the neurovascular bundle passing through the mental foramen thus avoiding complications from local anesthetic, surgical and other invasive procedures.

Morphology and morphometry of mental foramen in dry human mandibles

“…It matches with the result of previous studies in other Asian countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand. 5,6 Similar results were observed by other authors, where the mental foramen was found mostly in the longitudinal axis of the second premolar. [7][8][9][10] While other studies showed that the most frequent location of the mental foramen was between 1 st and 2 nd premolars.…”

Study on the position and symmetry of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs in Indian population

“…The mental nerve and vessels pass through the mental foramen and supply sensory innervations and vascularity to soft tissues of the mental region, lower lip and gingiva ipsilaterally on the anterolateral part of the mandible. 1 Generally, the mental foramen cannot be visualized or palpated by clinical examination. In radiographs, the mental foramen appears as a radiolucent area in the lower premolar region and it can be found in various locations ranging from the root of the first premolars to the roots of the first molars.…”

“…The accurate identification and actual location of the mental foramen is very important while performing periapical surgery, dental implant surgery, mandibular osteotomy, dental regional anesthesia and other surgical procedures involving premolar and molar areas of the mandible to prevent anesthesia failures and the relative risks associated with these procedures. 1 This necessitates thorough knowledge on the anatomical variations in location and number of the mental foramen to reduce damage of the corresponding The present study was undertaken to evaluate the position of the mental foramen in horizontal and vertical relation of teeth using panoramic radiographs in a selected Indian population.…”

A Study on the Morphometric Analysis of the Mental Foramen in South Indian Dry Adult Human Mandibles

“…10,11 The incidence observed in the present study was contrary to the study of Agarwal et al where it was reported as 92% oval foramina and 8% round foramina in Gujarat population. 2 Slight variation in the incidence was observed in other ethnic groups where they reported as oval shape in 59% and rounded in 41% in Sri lankan population and oval 54% and rounded 46% in Tanzania population [12,13]. The incidence of the direction of the opening of the mental foramina was reported as 87.85% postero-superiorly, 7.14% superiorly and 5% antero-superiorly.…”