Anatomical characteristics of mental foramen and canal: A cone-beam computed tomography analysis.

Background: So far, different studies have endeavored to evaluate the position and dimensions of mental foramen and canal using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images with various results. This study aimed to assess the anatomical variations of the mental foramen and canal utilizing CBCT images.

Material and methods: In this retrospective observational study, we investigated CBCT scans of 355 patients (710 terminal branches of mental canal and foramen) who were referred to a private dental and maxillofacial radiology center in Babol, during 2020-2022. We recorded different anatomical variations of mental foramina and canals on left (n=355) and right (n=355) mandibles.

Results: Most of the mental canals had a distal opening (n=334, 47.0%). The distance between the mental foramen and the lower mandibular border was greater on left mandible (13.92±3.73 mm) than on the right mandible (12.25±3.94 mm) (p<0.001). On left mandible, the vertical diameter of the mental foramen, as well as the distance between the mental foramen and the lower mandibular border, were significantly greater in men than in women. On right mandible, the distance between the mental foramen and the upper alveolar crest edge, as well as the distance between the mental foramen and the lower mandibular border, were significantly greater in men versus women. Finally, on right mandible, the vertical diameter of the mental foramen was significantly greater in subjects aged >45 years compared with those aged ≤45 (p=0.024).

Conclusions: There were notable variations in the morphological characteristics of the mental foramen and canal, which should be considered by clinicians. Key words:Mental foramen, mental canal, cone-beam computed tomography.