A Radiographic Study on the Visualization of the Anterior Loop in Darbhanga Population - An Original Research

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Knowledge of alveolar loop of inferior alveolarcanal is important to prevent any post operative complicationsafter mandibular surgery or any prosthesis placement inmandible parasymphysis region. The aim of this study wasto visualize anterior loop in Darbhanga (Bihar) populationon digital orthopantomogram radiographs and the objectivewas to evaluate the frequency of anterior loop in different agegroups on digital orthopantomogram radiographs.Material and Methods: The study was done in the Departmentof Oral Medicine and Radiology and Department of PublicHealth Dentistry. A total of 303 panoramic radiographs wereexamined by a single radiologist. Anterior loop was examinedin all 303 radiographs. The collected data were subsequentlyprocessed and analyzed using SPSS statistical package version17.Results: We found that anterior loop was visible in 39.6%of population. Anterior loop was most commonly seen inyounger age group. As the age advanced visibility of anteriorloop was reduced.Conclusion: In the present study, a total of 606 sites wereexamined on radiographs. Out of 156 male subjects, anteriorloop was visible in 68 subjects and out of 147 female subjects,anterior loop was visible in 52 subjects only. Visibility ofanterior loop in subjects aged 50 or more than 50 years wasseen in only 9 subjects.