Position of the Mental Foramen in a Northern Regional Palestinian Population

Abstract

Background: The mental foramen is one of important anatomical features frequently encountered in maxillofacial surgical procedures in premolars area. Its position has been shown to vary according to race. In this study researchers aim to study the position, shape, and appearance of the mental foramen, as seen on panoramic radiographs of Palestinians, and to compare our findings with international values. Materials and methods:A randomly selected panoramic radiographs (368 with 736 sides) from the records of dental patients attending three dental services in north of Palestine, the mental foramina's anterior-posterior position, shape, and radiologic appearance were subjected to analysis. Results:The most frequent anterior-posterior position was in the area between the long axes of first and second mandibular premolar teeth. The most frequent appearance was the continuous type and majority of foramina were rounded in shape. Conclusion:The position of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs in this selected group of Palestinians was most commonly between the mandibular premolars. The continuous type and rounded shape of the mental foramen was founded in majority of cases. These results are similar to previous findings in Caucasian populations.nerve exiting the mental foramen gives off three branches deep to the depressor anguli oris muscle, one of which innervates the skin of the mental area, and the remaining two innervate the skin of the lower lip, mucous membranes, and the gingiva as posterior as the second premolar [5]. Mesial to the mental foramen, studies were able to confirm the existence of an incisive canal, which can be an extension of the mandibular canal [4,5]. It is usually hard to identify, and its neurovascular structures may be running through the trabecular network. A very small percentage of the population (1%) has bifurcating mandibular canals, which proceed anteriorly into an inferior superior and medial lateral plane [6]. Therefore, the bifurcated mandibular canal will exit in two separate mental foramina. In these case clinicians have to be cautious since a panoramic or perapical film may not reflect it. Furthermore, Dario et al. suggest that the clinicians planning a surgical implant placement procedure above the inferior

The mental foramen, anatomical parameters through a radiographic approach to aid in dental implantology: A retrospective analysis in a sample of a Palestinian population

“…The mental foramen position was under the 2nd premolar in the majority of the studied sample. Mohammad et al [ 14 ] found that the commonest site of MF in a sample of a Palestinian population was between the 1st and 2nd premolar, followed by the position under the 2nd premolar. Meanwhile in Jordan [ 15 ], it was found that the most common site was in-between 1st and 2nd premolars.…”

Localization of Mental Foramen in Panoramic Radiographs of 18-30 Year Olds: A Hospital Based Study

“…Our study is similar to the study done by different authors in various populations. 1,[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Our study revealed score 4 (directly inferior to second PM cusp tip and directly below the second PM apex), to be the second most common score for position of MF i.e., 45.9% on right side and 44.3% on left side. However, in contrast to our findings, studies done by various authors in different population, reported MF to be most commonly present below the apex of second PM (score 4).…”

Analysis of the Mental Foramen and Inferior Alveolar Canal pattern based on CBCT data

“…2 It provides sensory innervation to the soft tissues of the chin, lower lip, labial mucosa, lower canines, and incisors. [2][3][4][5] The IAN exits at the mental canal (MeC), and splits into the incisive nerve and the MN. The exit path at the MF is seen in three different patterns; linear or straight, perpendicular or vertical, and anterior loop (AL).…”

“…6,7 The usual location of the MF is between the apices of the first and second premolars or just below the apex of the second premolar. 3,4 The accurate identification of the MF is essential for diagnostic, clinical, and surgical procedures of the mandible. To untrained eyes, the MF may be mistaken for radiolucent lesions around the apices of the mandibular premolars and lead to misdiagnosis and incorrect interventions.…”

“…6 Dental procedures like regional anesthesia, flap elevation, osteotomy, insertion of dental implants, surgical removal of roots, teeth, cysts, tumour or orthognathic surgeries, fixation of bone fractures procedures, non-surgical and surgical endodontic procedures require the operator to have thorough knowledge about the MF, the exit pattern of the nerve and its relation to the surrounding area. 2,4,6,8 Endodontic procedures such as cleaning and shaping may lead to over instrumentation, inadvertent extrusion of medicament, irrigants, or chemicals used for root canal treatment can lead to complications from pain and swelling to mental nerve paraesthesia. 14 Gutta percha though an inert root filling material, can generate paraesthesia due to thermal irritation and nerve compression by overfilling thermoplastic guttapercha.…”