Radiographic Analysis of the Location and Bilateral Symmetry of the Mental Foramen on Digital Panorax

Abstract

Introduction: The mental foramen (MF) is situated at the end of the inferior alveolar canal on the mandible's lateral surface and plays a crucial role in all dental procedures, including orthodontics. This research evaluate the digital panoramic based assessment of the locale and bilateral symmetry of mental foramina.

Methodology: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive analysis utilizing hospital records from March 1, 2022, to January 29, 2024, at a Dental Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Panoramic radiographs were collected from patients aged 18 to 60 who visited the Dental OPD for their dental concerns. The mental foramen was examined bilaterally, noting its location and symmetry in relation to the patient’s age and gender. The locale was assessed by aligning horizontal planes with the long axes of the bicuspids and a vertical plane extending from the apex of the 1st to the 2nd bicuspid. To locate the precise position of the foramen two horizontal reference planes were drawn along the axis between the 2nd premolar and the mesial root of the 1st molar. In cases where the mental foramen was notably large or situated within the region spanning both premolars and molars, the side demonstrating greater radiolucency was systematically evaluated for further analysis.

Results: This study's results show that on the right side, the most common horizontal position is between bicuspids (43.5%) and below the second premolar on the left side (37.1%) in both males and females, respectively. The vertical position is primarily inferior to the a premolar`s apical area, with 62.5% possessing a bilateral symmetrical vertical position.

Conclusion: In both males and females, the mental foramen is most commonly located between the apices of the first and second premolars on the right side, and inferior to the second premolar on the left side