RESUMEN
Objective: To know the characteristics vertical position of mental foramen based on panoramic image as a guide in predicting the individual's age for the purposes of Forensic Odontology examination. Material and Methods: The method of this study was observational and descriptive by using the cross-sectional approach. The data is obtained from the secondary data, which is adopted by purposive sampling technique in RSGM FKG Hasanuddin University and RSUD Batara Guru Belopa, District Luwu, Indonesia. Data was analyzed by using descriptive analysis method. Results: Vertical position of mental foramen is mostly affected by age, but there are some cases where the Vertical position of mental foramen is not affected by the individual's age. Before the eruption processof permanent tooth finish, mental foramen is located closer with alveolar ridge. After the eruption process of permanent tooth, slowly mental foramen is moving halfway to the lower border of corpus mandible. As each individual grows older and resorption process occurs to alveolar bone, mental foramen will appear moving closer to alveolar ridge. Conclusion: The process of identifying mental foramen to predict individual's age in the relation with forensic odontology is possible to be done by using roentgen image in mandible of the dead victim. Although it still requires further identification, mental foramen position can be one of the references in predicting individual's age.