The Symmetry and Position of Mental Foramen in Population of Jaipur City Using Digital Panoramic Radiograph

ABSTRACT

Background: The mental foramen may be round or oval in shape, it may be absent, unilateral, bilateral and in some cases may be multiple on one or both sides of the mandible. It is also often reported to open with a posterosuperior orientation. Thus it is important to have knowledge of the probable location the mental foramen on the basis of age gender and symmetry of the mental triangle. Methods: The present study was conducted in Department of oral & maxillofacial surgery in Mahatma Gandhi Dental College And Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan. The study comprised of 400 digital panoramic radiographs of age group ranging from 18-60 years of both sex (200 male and 200 female), from the database of oral medicine and radiology department, which satisfied inclusion criteria. Results: The present study showed that the maximal percentage of mental foramen as oval shaped seen in right side (87.5% & 98.0% in male and female respectively) and in left side (75.0% & 96.0% in male and female respectively). The maximum number of mental foramen was seen between first and second premolar (109 in right side & 110 in left side), followed by 79 in right side & 72 in left side mental foramen situated in line with second premolar in male  and in female, the maximum number of mental foramen was seen between first and second premolar 96 in right side & 108 in left side, followed by 92 in right side & 79 in left side mental foramen situated in line with second premolar in panoramic view in radiograph. Conclusions: An accurate assessment of position of mental foramen is very useful for the prevention of postsurgical neurovascular complications and also holds the potential of contributing as an aid for forensic identification. Multicenter studies within different populations would help in establishing its role in forensic odontology.