Cross Sectional Analysis Of Occurrence Of Accessory Mandibular Foramina And Their Positional Variations In Dry Mandibles

ABSTRACT

Background: During lower jaw surgeries, inferior alveolar nerve block is given at mandibular foramen level.However, additional foramina are found on medial surface of ramus of mandible, through which branches ofinferior alveolar nerve and vessels pass. Location of accessory foramina varies widely which could lead toiatrogenic injuries to neurovascular structures in this region.Aim and objective: Precise information of variations in number of mandibular foramen and position of theseaccessory foramina relative to mandibular foramen help dental surgeons to avoid injuries to inferior alveolarnerve and vessels. Hence, this study aimed at analyzing position of accessory foramina osteologically in Gujarat’spopulation.Materials and Methods: Three hundred dry mandibles of unknown sexes, and bearing all teeth or intact alveolarmargin were included in the study. Numerical variations in the form of accessory foramina were found in 42% ofthe mandibles; 17% on the right side; 17.66% on the left side; and in 7.33% mandibles accessory foramina werepresent on both sides. The laterality distribution of accessory mandibular foramina was found to be insignificantstatistically. More number of accessory foramina was located antero-superior to mandibular foramen. Retromolarforamina were found in 15% mandibles; however, laterality distribution of retromolar foramina was statisticallyinsignificant.Conclusion: Latrogenic injuries of inferior alveolar neurovascular structures could better be avoided with preciseidea of position of accessory foramina, which may ease the work of dental surgeon