POSITION OF THE MENTAL FORAMEN IN CORELATION WITH THE LOWER PREMOLARS: A PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of the position of foramen mentale has great significance and it is very important aids in endodontic, oral-surgical, periodontal interventions, as well as diagnostic procedures. Thus, in view of this, the present study was conducted among the population in North Macedonia, to determine the most common location of the mental foramen and to estimate difference in position of foramen mentale in correlation with the second lower premolar teeth. The mental foramen is an opening located on the external surface of the mandible in the region of the mandibular premolars. Radiographically the foramen mentale can be as an oval or round radiolucent zone in the inferior part of corpus mandible on lateral sides, on the left and right side. Panoramic radiographs are the most commonly used extra-oral radiographic aids in dentistry since they provide a rapid and wide picture of mandible and the maxilla in the same time. This technique allows the adequate localization of foramen mentale. The main aim of study is to evaluate the position of the mental foramen and its relationship with mandibular premolars among the population in Republic of North Macedonia Material and method: A total number of 250 panoramic radiographs were evaluated for the positioning of the mental foramen. When assessing the position of the mental foramen, its position is determined in relation with the mandibular premolars and the mandibular median line. All radiographic images in which can not be localized and confirmed the presence of the mental aperture was also excluded from the examination. The examination was performed on a negatoscope if it is classical panoramic x-ray or adequate software used for digital panoramic x-rays. If necessary, magnification was used for magnification of the images. The relationship of foramen mentale with the lower premolars was given according to the following classification: (1) if the position of foramen mentale is distally from the line that passes between the second premolar and the first molar in the lower jaw-first class; (2) if the position of foramen mentale is between the vertical central axis of the second premolar and the passing line between the second premolar and the first molar in the lower jaw- second class; (3) if the position of the foramen mentale is between the vertical axis of the second premolar and the line passing between the first and second premolars in the lower jaw- third class; (4) if the position of foramen mentale is between the line that passes between the first and second premolars in the lower jaw and the vertical central axis of the first premolar-fourth class and if the position of foramen mentale is mesially from the vertical center axis of the first premolar- fifth class. Results: On the basis of the data from our research, it is noted that in near 60%, foramen mentale is positioned between the roots of the first and second lower premolars. The most common position for foramen mentale is the third class (which means that foramen mentale is between the vertical axis of the second premolar and the line passing between the first and second premolars in the lower jaw). Conclusion: In conclusion, the present results showed variations in position of foramen mentale. So it must be noted that local differences in foramen mentale position may occur in a population. This variability should alert the oral surgeons while performing oral surgical and periodontal interventions. If the studies related to variations in the position of foramen mentale are carried out in larger numbers, this data will be reliable for dental medicine clinicians, and with this type of information the possibility of complications will be minimized.