ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on accessory mental foramen (AMF) research using cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in PubMed, Embase, Thomas Reuter's Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Articles focusing on AMF prevalence and location using CBCT imaging were selected without language restrictions. Studies reporting pooled results only or presenting any pathology in the area surrounding the mental foramen (MF) were excluded. A meta-analysis using random effects was performed. RESULTS: The present meta-analysis included a total of 46 articles involving 21,761 subjects. The overall pooled AMF prevalence was 7.87% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.69-9.24) in subjects and 4.75% (95% CI, 3.79-5.95) in hemimandibles (n = 31,158). AMF presence was most commonly unilateral, reaching 90.15% (95% CI, 82.98-94.49). AMFs were significantly more frequent in right hemimandibles (χ2 = 5.20, P < .05) and were most commonly located posterior and inferior to the MF. However, AMFs superior to the MF were also observed in 47.43% (95% CI, 38.45-56.58) of cases. The studies conducted over the last 3 years showed significantly higher AMF prevalence levels (χ2 = 5.12, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that AMF prevalence is considerable and should not be underestimated. AMFs are most frequently located in right hemimandibles. The presence of AMFs superior to the MF is frequent. Around 3% of people present superior AMFs. This fact puts those patients at greater risk for injury when performing periapical surgery in this area.
Subject(s)
Mental Foramen , Cone-Beam Computed Tomography , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Humans , Mandible/diagnostic imaging , PrevalenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It has been previously observed that teeth with severe chronic periodontitis experience more transient external root resorptions than teeth with less severe disease. METHODS: Sixty-six teeth diagnosed with different levels of chronic periodontitis in 48 patients were observed with a light microscope. Main characteristics of teeth with root resorptions, as well as percentages of area and volume resorbed on each radicular third of the teeth, were determined. RESULTS: Over 80% (53) of the teeth exhibited resorption: 46.67% in group 1 (slight periodontitis); 85% in group 2 (moderate periodontitis); and 93.55% in group 3 (severe periodontitis). In group 1, the average resorption length was 295.65 microm and the average area, 11,212.45 microm2. In group 2 these measures were 519.09 and 25,678.102, respectively. In group 3, the average length was 675.95 microm, and the average area 36,925.06 microm2. Except for the resorbed volume on the apical third, the other resorption percentages were higher in group 3 (severe periodontitis) and smaller in the group 1 (slight periodontitis), but the location of the largest resorption percentages varied among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of periodontitis plays a major role in the presence and extent of transient external root resorption. In the three groups, most of the teeth showed resorptions on the apical third, but severity of periodontitis determined the location of the largest percentages of area and volume resorbed.
