Morphometrical and morphological study of mental foramen in dry dentulous mandibles of South Andhra population of India.

BACKGROUND: Mental foramen (MF) is an anatomical structure of particular importance in local anesthesia and surgical procedures in terms of achieving effective mandibular nerve blocks and avoiding injuries to the neurovascular bundles.

AIM: To determine the morphometry and morphology of MF in south Andhra population of India, hitherto unreported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety dry dentulous mandibles of both sexes were examined for position, size, shape and number of MF.

RESULTS: Various parameters investigated are, the horizontal distance between (1) symphysis menti and MF was 27.2 mm on right and 27.7 mm on the left, (2) MF and posterior border of ramus was 70.7 mm on both sides, vertical distance between (3) MF and inferior border of mandible was 16.5 mm on right and 14.3 mm on left, (4) alveolar crest and MF was 13.7 mm on right and 16.4 on left, (5) distance between the MF and below the apex of premolar socket was +2.8 mm on right and +3.5 mm on left and above the socket was -2.8 mm on right and -2.7 mm on left. Occurrence of MF below the second premolar tooth was found to be highest (73.2%). Average size of MF was larger on left and its way of exit was in postero-superior direction. Shape of MF was round in 79% and oval in 21% and double MF was found in 8.9% of mandibles.

CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, most common position of MF was found below the apex of second premolar in 73.2% and between the second premolar and first molar in 19% of mandibles. The other morphometrical findings of this study may be implicated by dental practitioners and maxillofacial surgeons.