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Mental foramen and mental nerve: changes with age.

A Gershenson, H Nathan, E Luchansky

|January 1, 1986

Summary

The mental foramen (MF) and mental nerve position shift with age and tooth loss due to bone resorption. These anatomical changes impact the mandibular canal and surrounding structures, affecting surgical procedures.

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Area of Science:

Anatomy
Oral Surgery
Radiology

Background:

The mental foramen (MF) is a key anatomical landmark in the mandible.
Its position and morphology can vary significantly between individuals.
Understanding these variations is crucial for dental and surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of the mental foramen.
To analyze the positional changes of the mental foramen and mental nerve relative to the alveolar margin throughout life and with tooth loss.
To discuss the clinical implications of these anatomical variations.

Main Methods:

Examination of 525 dry human mandibles.
Dissection of 50 human cadavers.
Analysis of mental foramen (MF) prevalence, shape, diameter, and location relative to dental structures and alveolar margins.

Main Results:

Single mental foramen (MF) observed in 94.67% of cases; multiple in 5.33%.
Round MF (34.48%) averaged 1.68 mm diameter; oval MF (65.52%) averaged 2.37 mm long diameter.
MF position shifts from closer to the alveolar margin in children to the inferior border in adults with teeth, moving superiorly with resorption and tooth loss.

Conclusions:

The position of the mental foramen (MF) and mental nerve is dynamic, influenced by age, tooth eruption, and alveolar bone resorption.
Significant resorption can expose the MF and mandibular canal near the alveolar crest, altering the path of the mental nerve.
These findings have critical implications for local anesthesia administration, implantology, and other oral surgical interventions.

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