Determination of a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography based Assessment of Mental Foramen Position

Objective: To assess the occurrence and location of the mental foramen in relation to gender and age by using cone-beam computed tomography.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive case series study was conducted at department of radiology at advance diagnostic care centre, Institute of Dentistry, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Hyderabad. One hundred and fifty patients of either gender, having age 18-40 years with retained permanent dentition and recommended for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiograph were selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique. Patients with history of bone disease, old trauma and not willing to participate were excluded. CBCT imaging of each patient will be performed and assessed for occurrence and location of the mental foramen.

Results: Out of 150 patients, male were 98 (65.3%) and female were 52 (34.7%) with mean age of 28.8 ± 6.9 (18-40) years. Position 4 was the most common right side horizontal position with 74(49.3%) patients followed by position 3 with 69(46.0%) patients, position 5 with 6(4.0%) patients and position 2 with 1(0.7%) patients. Similarly position 4 was the most common left side horizontal position with 75(50.0%) patients followed by position 3 with 70(46.7%) patients, and position 5 with 5(3.3%) patients. Position 1 was only choice either for right or left side vertical position in all patients i.e., 150 (100.0%).

Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that no significant difference was observed in occurrence and location of the mental foramen in relation to gender and age by using cone-beam computed tomography.