Accessory lingual mental foramen: A case report of a rare anatomic variation.

Abstract

Introduction: The mandibular nerve and the mental foramen have occasionally shown variations in its anatomy. This report aims to present a case of lingual mental foramen recognised on three-dimensional cone beam computed tomographic imaging (CBCT).

Case report: Routine Orthopantomogram (OPG) and CBCT images were evaluated to assess the status of impact third molars in a 31-year-old female who had visited the dental clinics in our institution. The OPG image failed to reveal any anatomic variation in the position of the mental foramen. On tracing the course of the mandibular canal in CBCT images, two foramina were traced at the region of premolar. One opened towards the buccal cortical plate at the normal position of the mental foramen and an accessory lingual mental foramen had an opening on the lingual cortical bone at the same level as the mental foramen.

Conclusion: Understanding variations of the mental foramen is extremely essential in dentistry to carry out successful anaesthetic or surgical interventions and to avoid complications such as nerve damage or excessive bleeding.