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Computed tomographic analysis of the mental foramen and nerve in Japanese patients
Atsushi Fujita1, Toyonori Suzuki
1*Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan; Oral Surgeon of Triology Azabu Kitami Hospital, Dental Oral Surgery, Hokkaido, Japan. †Chief of Triology Azabu Kitami Hospital, Dental Oral Surgery, Hokkaido, Japan.
Purpose:
The aims of this study were to investigate the anatomical features of the mental foramen in Japanese patients through computed tomography (CT) imaging to reduce inadvertent damage to the mental nerve during implant placement.
Materials And Methods:
The mandibles of 100 patients were observed on CT imaging. The location, shape, number, and size of the mental foramen were evaluated. Furthermore, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the anterior loops were measured.
Results:
The mental foramen was mainly located by the apex of the second mandibular premolar in male, whereas the mental foramen was mainly located by the apex of the second mandibular premolar and between the apex of the second premolar and the first mandibular molar in female. With exception of a few hemi-mandibles, its shape was oval and the number of the mental foramen was 1. There was no significant difference in the size of the mental foramen between male and female. There was a significant difference in the vertical dimension of the anterior loops between the males and females.
Conclusion:
In general, altered lip sensations are preventable if the mental foramen is located, and this knowledge is employed when performing surgical procedures in the foraminal area.
