ABSTRACT
Background: Mandibular foramen (MF), present on the medial surface of ramus of the mandible, leads to themandibular canal through which inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and vessels transmit. IAN block is a commonanaesthetic procedure before dental and reconstructive surgeries. Surgeons usually do IAN block in their clinicsand encounter failure of block because of variable position of MF.Objective: The present study was carried out to find the most common position of MF in north Indian population.Materials and Methods: Study was done on 50 dry adult human mandibles of unknown sex and age of northIndian origin. Height was measured from the angle of the mandible to the highest point on condyloid process.Mid point of the line joining these points was noted. The position of MF was observed in relation to pre noted midpoint.Results: MF was placed below the level of mid point in 40 mandibles (80%).Conclusion: The knowledge of most common position of MF will help the surgeons to reduce the chance ofunsuccessful IAN block.
ABSTRACT
The Retromolar foramen/canal are one of the non-metric variants of the mandible located in the retromolarfossa of the mandible behind the 3rd molar of mandible. These are obviously of profound dental and surgicalimportance. The aim of the study was to know the prevalence of retromolar canal/foramen in north Indianpopulation. In the present study, 35 dry mandibles of unknown sex of north Indian origin were examined bynaked eyes to know the incidence of retromolar foramen/canal. The retromolar foramen/canal was found in 6mandibles (17.14%), bilaterally in 2 mandibles and unilaterally in 4 mandibles. We conclude that retromolarforamen /canal is of profound clinical importance.