Morphometric Analysis of the Mandibular Canal, Anterior Loop, and Mental Foramen: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation

Unique anomalous in the main mental foramen opening, mandibular canal pathway, and size and shape of genial tubercles: A case report

This clinical report presents a unique and previously unreported case of anatomical variations in the mandible, specifically involving the main mental foramen (MF), the mandibular canal (MC), and genial tubercles (GTs). The case involves a 21-year-old male seeking dental implant rehabilitation. The patient exhibited an unusual lingual exit path of the main left MF through the lingual cortical bone, with the MC following an anterior lingual direction along a lingual groove before exiting through the labial cortical bone between the apexes of the left canine and first premolar. Additionally, the patient displayed excessive enlargement and rare shape of the GTs. These rare anatomical findings presented challenges in dental implant planning. This case report emphasizes the importance of advanced imaging techniques like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in evaluating mandibular structures for precise treatment planning and highlights the significance of understanding anatomical variations to prevent complications in dental procedures.

The anterior loop of the inferior alveolar nerve within the mentonian foramen: a scoping review

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to delineate the safety zone concerning the anteriorization of the AL and correlate it with the behavior of the AL, analyzing its feasibility.

METHODS

Adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) manual guidelines, both the protocol and this review were conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. MeSH terms, combined with free terms, were utilized to search for articles in the following databases: Embase, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature.

RESULTS

Fifteen articles were select following the eligibility criteria. An average safe zone of 4.75 mm in humans was observed, with a prevalence 60.8% and average anterior length of the AL of 2.09 mm in humans.

CONCLUSION

The AL has varied patterns across different populations, then, it could not be asserted a 100% safe zone. Preoperative analysis of the AL with CBCT is always necessary. While it could be stated that a safe zone should be employed as an inviolable region, stipulated measures of a safe zone should be regarded as an area of greater attention in preoperative planning.

Measurement of the mandibular canal and mandibular incisive canal using cone beam tomography in adults from South Brazil

PURPOSE

To identify and measure the distance from the dental apices to the mandibular (MC) and mandibular incisive (MIC) canals, the diameter of the MC and the distances of the mental foramen (MF).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, cone-beam computed tomography scans of 144 adult patients (males and females) from a dental school in South Brazil were evaluated. Cross-sections were selected on the MC and the MIC paths, perpendicular to the mandibular base, and measurements were taken from the dental apices to the mandibular cortices. The measurement and location of the mandibular and mental foramen on both sides were compared. Paired t-tests compared sides, while Student's t-tests compared sexes (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The distance from the dental apices to the upper wall of the MC was closest in the third molar and farthest in the central incisor region. In both sexes and sides, the path of the MC is in most cases lingually in the molar regions and moves to the buccal region from the second premolar. The MF emerges in the regions between the premolars or near the second premolar.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study highlight the importance of evaluating specific individual characteristics of a given population.

Radiological assessment of the inferior alveolar canal and mental foramen using cone beam computed tomography for pre-operative evaluation of surgeries in the mandible: A single-center five-year retrospective study

Introduction

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) plays a significant role in studying the anatomical structures of the mandible.

Aim

This retrospective study aimed to assess the role of CBCT at the pre-assessment stage of mandibular surgery.

Materials and methods

A total of 250 CBCT images were collected. The inferior alveolar canal (IAC) and mental foramen (MF) were measured bilaterally to the mandibular teeth apexes, including molars, premolars, and canines, to the buccal, lingual cortical bone, and to the inferior border of the mandible.

Results

There were no differences in the average number of extracted teeth between the right and left sides (P-value > 0.05, median = three teeth). It was noticed that the average measures of each point of the IAC and MF on the right side were closely matched to the similar point on the left side (P-value > 0.05). T-tests showed that there were differences between males and females on the M2 and M3 on the right side (P-value < 0.05) and on the M1, M2, and M3 on the left side (P-value < 0.05). Using one-way ANOVA tests, results showed that there were some differences in measures at P0 (F = 3.376, P-value = 0.003), P4 (F = 3.782, P-value = 0.001) on the right side, and at P3 (F = 5.620, P-value = 0.019) on the left side of the mandible.

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in IAC and MF positions between the right and left sides. However, between males and females, MF measurements showed significant differences on some points on the right and left sides. Although the history of extracted teeth showed no statistically significant difference in the location of IAC and MF, the number of extracted teeth showed an effect in the IAC position on the right and left sides, but not with the MF.

The mental foramen, anatomical parameters through a radiographic approach to aid in dental implantology: A retrospective analysis in a sample of a Palestinian population

Purpose

This study aims at analyzing the mental foramen (MF) structure, dimension, position, and emergence profiles among a sample of a Palestinian population.

Methods

212 mental foramina (106 patients) were analyzed on two panoramic views (CBCT reformatted (CRP) & conventional (CP)) and CBCT coronal views. The visibility score, position, size, presence of loop & supplementary foramina, distances coronal and apical to the foramen, and the emergence profiles of the mental canals with associated course angles were all noted.

Results

No statistically significant relationship was found between the type of panoramic radiographic view used (i.e., CP & CRP) and the resultant visibility level and position of MF. The majority of the MF showed an intermediate visibility score on both CP & CRP. The highest percentage of MF's position was under the 2nd mandibular premolar. The emergence profile was shown to be, in most, superior (S) in 47.6% of the sample and posterosuperior (PS) in 28.3%. The MF mean height and width were 4.08 mm & 4.11 mm, respectively. The coronal and axial angles averages were 46.25° and 91.49°, respectively. The distance superior and inferior to the MF showed averages of 12.39 mm and 13.52 mm, respectively. 28.3% of the sample presented with a mental loop, with a mesial extension average of 2 mm.

Conclusion

On both panoramic views (CBCT & conventional), the majority of the mental foramina displayed an intermediate visibility level, with no significant difference between the two techniques. The MF was found mostly under the second premolar. The majority of the examined mental canals had a superior emergence profile.