Assessment of position and bilateral symmetry of occurrence of mental foramen in dentate asian population.

INTRODUCTION: The mental foramen shares its significance in various fields of dentistry. Being a strategically eminent landmark, an understanding of the variation of its position is important Aim: To radiographically evaluate frequently occurring position of mental foramen and its distance with reference to the lower premolars and the lower border of mandible on standardized panoramic radiographs.

METHODS: The inferior alveolar canal, upto the mental foramen, was traced over 300 orthopantomographs (OPGs) which were selected by using specific criteria. The mandibular plane and the long axis of the premolars were used as references to measure perpendicular distance of foramen.

RESULTS: The most common position was found to be between the two premolars (63% cases), which scaled approximately 15.46mm above the lower border of the mandible, with an average proximity to the 2nd premolar (5.51mm) than the 1(st) premolar (8.21mm). This was followed by position behind the second premolar, which scored 20.67%. Both the foramina were noted in the same vertical plane of reference, and they showed bilateral occurrence of the most common position of the mental foramen, with respect to 45.67% cases.

CONCLUSION: The most common location was reported to be between the two premolars, with a definite bilateral symmetry on both left and right sides. No gender preferences were observed. An average distance of 15mm from the lower border of the mandible was calculated.