Assessment of Position of the Mental Foramen in Relation to Mandibular Teeth: An Institutional Study

Abstract

Background: Recognizing the anatomical differences in the location of the mental foramen is crucial for various dental procedures. This study examined the position of the mental foramen in the OPGs of patients, using both old and new records from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly.

Objective: To determine the position of the mental foramina on panoramic radiographs based on gender, age, side of mandible, location of mental foramen from root apex of mandibular teeth Uttar Pradesh.

Methods: A total of 420 panoramic radiographs (PAN) were chosen for the study. The location of the mental foramen was identified by drawing imaginary lines parallel to the long axis of the lower premolars and the mesial root of the first molar on the same side. The position of the mental foramen was then categorized into six classes (Class I-VI).

Results: No significant gender differences in mental foramen positions were found in either 13-18-year-olds or 19-59-year-olds. In both groups, Class IV (mental foramen aligned with the second premolar apex) was most common: 70.6% of females and 68.4% of males in 13-18 years, and 53.3% of females and 56.8% of males in 19-59 years. Side comparisons also showed no significant differences, with similar distributions in both genders. Chi-square values for all comparisons were non-significant (p > 0.05). Thus, age and gender do not affect the mental foramen position.

Conclusion: For effective and safe mental nerve blocking, the anesthetic should be administered beneath the lower second premolar or between the first and second premolars. Care should also be taken when working near these areas to prevent mental nerve damage and complications during implant placement.