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Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Anatomical Variation in the Mandibular Foramen in Non-Atrophic and Atrophic Mandibles
Marcelo Betti Mascaro1, Lara Cristina Picoli1, Stefany Torres Reis Matos1
1Discipline of Morphology, School of Dentistry, Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), São Paulo, SPBrazil.
Objectives:
Previous studies of variation in mandibular foramen characteristics with age have involved comparison in different populations, but few data, between non-atrophic and atrophic mandibles are available. The aim of this original article was to compare the position, shape and area of the mandibular foramen between non-atrophic and atrophic mandibles.
Material And Methods:
Morphometric methods were used to study the mandibular foramen variation. Fifty adult dry mandibles from the laboratory of anatomy were selected. Mandibles were considered non-atrophic if the distance between the base and alveolar ridge was homogeneous and greater than 25 mm in the anterior region and 20 mm in the posterior region. Conversely, mandibles were considered atrophic if that distances were lower than those described to a minimum of 11 mm in all areas. All measurements were performed with a digital caliper. For statistical analysis, the admitted level of significance was 5%.
Results:
When non-atrophic mandibles were compared to atrophic ones, the mandibular foramen shifted significantly to an anterior position (mean difference [MD]: 4.81 mm; P < 0.0001) and to an inferior position (MD: 3.04 mm; P < 0.0001) and changed from an elliptical shape to round one, with a significant decrease in its area (MD: 3.66 mm2; P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The results indicate that there are significant differences in the position, shape and area of the mandibular foramen between non-atrophic and atrophic mandibles. These data should be considered in anaesthetic techniques and surgical procedures to prevent vascular and nervous lesions.
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