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Dento-Osseous Variability of the Mental Foramen: A Retrospective CT-Based Morphometric Study
Andrei Urîtu1, Alexandra Roi2, Ciprian Roi3
1Doctoral School, University Clinic of Anesthesiology and Oral Surgery, Research Center of Dento-Alveolar Surgery, Anesthesia and Sedation in Dental Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
This study identified key mandibular landmarks for locating the mental foramen, crucial for dental anesthesia. The mental foramen is typically closer to the alveolar crest and about 2.5 cm from the midline, often near the second premolar.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Radiology
- Dentistry
Background:
- The mental foramen is a critical landmark for regional anesthesia in the mandible.
- Accurate identification is essential for successful mental-incisive trunk blocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify reliable osseous and dental landmarks for the mental foramen.
- To establish anatomical references for the mental-incisive trunk block.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 100 Romanian patient CT scans.
- Measurements of mental foramen distances to mandibular borders and midline.
- Correlation of foramen position with age and gender.
Main Results:
- Mental foramen is closer to the alveolar crest (mean 12.3 mm) than the inferior mandibular border (mean 13.7 mm).
- Foramen is located approximately 2.5 cm lateral to the midline.
- Most frequent location is adjacent to the second premolar (27.0%).
Conclusions:
- The mental foramen's position is consistently closer to the alveolar crest vertically.
- A distance of ~2.5 cm lateral to the midline is a reliable indicator.
- The second lower premolar is the most common adjacent dental landmark.
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